Newbe: Am I going the wrong way?

Silverwolf636 · 06-25-2007, 08:38 PM

Am I going the wrong way?
I've been a member here for quite awhile and I just got up enough nerve to finally post something. The reason for that is I am not full blooded American Indian. My great grandfather was half Cherokee (Rainier) and my great grandmother (his wife) was half Lenape (Blackstone). I have been all but burned at the stake in other Indian website chat rooms. My family tells me that I should just leave my ancestory alone -especially the indian side-. It's like they are emarrased of the fact that we have Indian blood running through our veins. Well, I am proud of this. I have always enjoyed the drums and flute -American Indian dances: American Indian music is music you can see and touch. This is even before I knew that that I was part Indian that I felt this way. Now that I know that I am part Indian I want to know who my family was, where they lived, and what kind of life they had.

Well, I think I have said enough...
Am I going the wrong by trying to find out about my Indian family?

**Eagle Plumes** · 06-26-2007, 10:17 AM

Hello , I say find a thread that interests you and post in it ,your thoughts , views ,oppions. Pow-Wows.com is a great site and feal it has something for every one! Yeah some like to get alittle crazy at times but come on and post!

**Josiah** · 06-26-2007, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silverwolf636

Am I going the wrong way?
I've been a member here for quite awhile and I just got up enough nerve to finally post something. The reason for that is I am not full blooded American Indian. My great grandfather was half Cherokee (Rainier) and my great grandmother (his wife) was half Lenape (Blackstone). I have been all but burned at the stake in other Indian website chat rooms. My family tells me that I should just leave my ancestory alone -especially the indian side-. It's like they are emarrased of the fact that we have Indian blood running through our veins. Well, I am proud of this. I have always enjoyed the drums and flute -American Indian dances: American Indian music is music you can see and touch. This is even before I knew that that I was part Indian that I felt this way. Now that I know that I am part Indian I want to know who my family was, where they lived, and what kind of life they had.

Well, I think I have said enough...
Am I going the wrong by trying to find out about my Indian family?

Start out slow and keep posting
More importantly read what people have to say!
Also understand alot of NDN's have a wry sense of humour...

And poke fun at people that are being waaaay too serious
I have seen more than one serious thread spin off to discussions on food or other things that totally pisses off the original poster!

I have had more than my share of heated discussions but hey in the end who cares
It the discussion that is important and yes you may even learn something that you did not before
But this is to have fun and speak with people that share a common interests

Josiah

Wakalapi · 06-26-2007, 10:54 PM

Many people who identify with "being NDN" are not fullbloods these days, but there are still fullbloods around. Some people (fullblood or not) see it as a dilution of their culture when someone who has lower Indian blood quantum than they do start getting involved with Indian culture. That will not change. Rather than start off with a declaration of your heritage, just start talking and asking questions from the standpoint of being someone who is "part NDN" but who is (more importantly) new to modern powwows.

If you go to a forum and just post a question like, "I'm thinking of making my next roach out of _____ with ____ what do y'all think?" It will be taken more seriously than, "I'm 1/8 Indian and nervous that 1/4-bloods, 1/2-bloods and fullbloods will reject me; however I'm suddenly interested in delving into Indian culture for the full monty and I'm thinking of making a roach for the first time.... etc. etc. etc. " you see, you already lost your audience in the first part of the sentence. Nobody cares how much Indian you are, but you. Unless you tell it them and make them care, and then they will react with resentment for your forcing them to care!

w30 · 06-27-2007, 04:29 AM

What got my attention in this thread was Wakalapi punctuating y'all an I cant remember what thats >' called ???

Or maybe I dunno an thats why I cant remeber

hobbs49 · 06-27-2007, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by w30

What got my attention in this thread was Wakalapi punctuating y'all an I cant remember what thats >' called ???

Or maybe I dunno an thats why I cant remeber

Y'all mean that 'apostrophy' thingy?

w30 · 06-28-2007, 03:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hobbs49

Y'all mean that 'apostrophy' thingy?

Yep that '!

So, thats what its called.... an apostrophy thingy !!

Steffan Redhawk · 07-19-2007, 02:57 PM

*edit*

Dude, don't feel bad because you may be light skinned... Look at my photo... Now imagine this.. My last name is Redhawk

Think of the crap I got in school....

Now imagine me going to school for 8 years with a buncha res kids.

Then wait... We moved, to MO for cryin out loud.. Then guess what... We went to a res powwow where none of the kids knew me...

My first day out in OK, I got beat up by a 13 year old, and I'm not sure, but I think it was cricket, lol!

(I've got no bad feelings, cricket is a great guy) :)

So, just *edit* find something you wanna talk about.

If you wanna find out about your family, grab a handfull of cash and start digging up birth/death certs.

You'll need them anyway when you enroll.

**WocusWoman** · 07-24-2007, 02:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wakalapi

Many people who identify with "being NDN" are not fullbloods these days, but there are still fullbloods around. Some people (fullblood or not) see it as a dilution of their culture when someone who has lower Indian blood quantum than they do start getting involved with Indian culture. That will not change. Rather than start off with a declaration of your heritage, just start talking and asking questions from the standpoint of being someone who is "part NDN" but who is (more importantly) new to modern powwows.

If you go to a forum and just post a question like, "I'm thinking of making my next roach out of _____ with ____ what do y'all think?" It will be taken more seriously than, "I'm 1/8 Indian and nervous that 1/4-bloods, 1/2-bloods and fullbloods will reject me; however I'm suddenly interested in delving into Indian culture for the full monty and I'm thinking of making a roach for the first time.... etc. etc. etc. " you see, you already lost your audience in the first part of the sentence. Nobody cares how much Indian you are, but you. Unless you tell it them and make them care, and then they will react with resentment for your forcing them to care!

Cudos Wakalapi, I agree with your assessment. Very good advice to take on these matters.

**WocusWoman** · 07-24-2007, 02:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silverwolf636

Am I going the wrong way?
I've been a member here for quite awhile and I just got up enough nerve to finally post something. The reason for that is I am not full blooded American Indian. My great grandfather was half Cherokee (Rainier) and my great grandmother (his wife) was half Lenape (Blackstone). I have been all but burned at the stake in other Indian website chat rooms. My family tells me that I should just leave my ancestory alone -especially the indian side-. It's like they are emarrased of the fact that we have Indian blood running through our veins. Well, I am proud of this. I have always enjoyed the drums and flute -American Indian dances: American Indian music is music you can see and touch. This is even before I knew that that I was part Indian that I felt this way. Now that I know that I am part Indian I want to know who my family was, where they lived, and what kind of life they had.

Well, I think I have said enough...
Am I going the wrong by trying to find out about my Indian family?

I see nothing wrong with asking questions. In my experience, in many cases such as yours, the family with little indian blood had turned their backs on that heritage many years ago, because it was easier for them to live that way. On top of having the advantage of appearances, the US govt. used to reward families for becoming main-stream, white society. It was just so much easier for many people to do so.

eagle feather · 08-18-2007, 01:07 PM

this is the same thing in my family.my grandfather to this day tells me when i ask about our indian blood that is not important.under spanish rule you had nothing if you had indian blood

timmy tiger · 08-22-2007, 12:42 AM

I agree with the people here. Your blood quantium doesn't matter when you are first meeting people. That's your own thing. I have many Traditional people from Res' who tell me that if you have 2 drops of Indian blood in you then you are Indian, others feel differently. It's all personal perceptions. And that's up to each person.

I am of mixed blood and yet I am accepted by many on the Rez for who I am. I am straight up and tell people who I am and I am not affraid of it. If those don't like me just because I don't have what they do, that's okay, it's their right. I will just move on and make friends with those who accept me for who and what I am---no one special. Just a person trying to live my life the best way that I can.

Let them see your honor and who you are before you tell them more about yourself. I was watched for several years and given a hard time, too, when I first started looking into mine. Now, most of the ones who watched me are now my friends. And I have family who are helping me to meet some more of my family and it's been great. It wasn't easy or overnight, but it's all good.

06-25-2007, 08:38 PM	#1 (permalink)
Silverwolf636 silverwolf636 Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Eastern Ohio Posts: 1	Newbe: Am I going the wrong way? Am I going the wrong way? I've been a member here for quite awhile and I just got up enough nerve to finally post something. The reason for that is I am not full blooded American Indian. My great grandfather was half Cherokee (Rainier) and my great grandmother (his wife) was half Lenape (Blackstone). I have been all but burned at the stake in other Indian website chat rooms. My family tells me that I should just leave my ancestory alone -especially the indian side-. It's like they are emarrased of the fact that we have Indian blood running through our veins. Well, I am proud of this. I have always enjoyed the drums and flute -American Indian dances: American Indian music is music you can see and touch. This is even before I knew that that I was part Indian that I felt this way. Now that I know that I am part Indian I want to know who my family was, where they lived, and what kind of life they had. Well, I think I have said enough... Am I going the wrong by trying to find out about my Indian family?

06-26-2007, 10:17 AM	#2 (permalink)
Eagle Plumes Just Bead it! Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: MId-West Posts: 10,908	Hello , I say find a thread that interests you and post in it ,your thoughts , views ,oppions. Pow-Wows.com is a great site and feal it has something for every one! Yeah some like to get alittle crazy at times but come on and post! __________________ Got Bead's?

06-26-2007, 10:54 PM	#4 (permalink)
Wakalapi www.wakalapi.com Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: East of the Mountains Posts: 1,218	Many people who identify with "being NDN" are not fullbloods these days, but there are still fullbloods around. Some people (fullblood or not) see it as a dilution of their culture when someone who has lower Indian blood quantum than they do start getting involved with Indian culture. That will not change. Rather than start off with a declaration of your heritage, just start talking and asking questions from the standpoint of being someone who is "part NDN" but who is (more importantly) new to modern powwows. If you go to a forum and just post a question like, "I'm thinking of making my next roach out of _____ with ____ what do y'all think?" It will be taken more seriously than, "I'm 1/8 Indian and nervous that 1/4-bloods, 1/2-bloods and fullbloods will reject me; however I'm suddenly interested in delving into Indian culture for the full monty and I'm thinking of making a roach for the first time.... etc. etc. etc. " you see, you already lost your audience in the first part of the sentence. Nobody cares how much Indian you are, but you. Unless you tell it them and make them care, and then they will react with resentment for your forcing them to care! __________________ "Friends don't let friends drink decaf..."

07-19-2007, 02:57 PM	#8 (permalink)
Steffan Redhawk Northern Traditional Join Date: May 2006 Location: Battle Creek, Michigan Posts: 235	edit Dude, don't feel bad because you may be light skinned... Look at my photo... Now imagine this.. My last name is Redhawk Think of the crap I got in school.... Now imagine me going to school for 8 years with a buncha res kids. Then wait... We moved, to MO for cryin out loud.. Then guess what... We went to a res powwow where none of the kids knew me... My first day out in OK, I got beat up by a 13 year old, and I'm not sure, but I think it was cricket, lol! (I've got no bad feelings, cricket is a great guy) :) So, just edit find something you wanna talk about. If you wanna find out about your family, grab a handfull of cash and start digging up birth/death certs. You'll need them anyway when you enroll. __________________ AIM: GlacierESteffan Yahoo: low_rdr ICQ: 45338941 MSN: scifiwriter@hotmail.com Last edited by Singing Eagle; 07-19-2007 at 05:01 PM. Reason: MOD deleted comments inappropriate for this forum. SE

06-27-2007, 04:29 AM	#5 (permalink)
w30 BoopBoopaDoop Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 11,076 Blog Entries: 1	What got my attention in this thread was Wakalapi punctuating y'all an I cant remember what thats >' called ??? Or maybe I dunno an thats why I cant remeber

08-18-2007, 01:07 PM	#11 (permalink)
eagle feather Tiny Tot Dancer Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 26	this is the same thing in my family.my grandfather to this day tells me when i ask about our indian blood that is not important.under spanish rule you had nothing if you had indian blood

08-22-2007, 12:42 AM	#12 (permalink)
timmy tiger Head Dancer Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: where ever there are babies or children you can find me Posts: 13,198 Blog Entries: 3	I agree with the people here. Your blood quantium doesn't matter when you are first meeting people. That's your own thing. I have many Traditional people from Res' who tell me that if you have 2 drops of Indian blood in you then you are Indian, others feel differently. It's all personal perceptions. And that's up to each person. I am of mixed blood and yet I am accepted by many on the Rez for who I am. I am straight up and tell people who I am and I am not affraid of it. If those don't like me just because I don't have what they do, that's okay, it's their right. I will just move on and make friends with those who accept me for who and what I am---no one special. Just a person trying to live my life the best way that I can. Let them see your honor and who you are before you tell them more about yourself. I was watched for several years and given a hard time, too, when I first started looking into mine. Now, most of the ones who watched me are now my friends. And I have family who are helping me to meet some more of my family and it's been great. It wasn't easy or overnight, but it's all good.