Kawlija
Shared on Thu, 03/15/2007 - 17:24 Not so long ago, one of the more popular Native American websites, www.indianz.com, held a survey by asking its readership “What does being Indian mean to you?” The numerous responses all seemed to deal with a few central themes. (See below.)
It came to me as no surprise that much of what the readers from around the country regarded as “being Indian” was akin to what my tribe from where I’m from refers to as The Great Law. Certainly, our life-ways and world-view is a commonality that binds all Native peoples of the Americas. What holds true for the Pequots is the same as the Seminoles, as the Comanche, and the Inuit. We all may not look alike, but we all think alike.
It made me curious. What if a survey was held to ask “What does being Irish, or Italian, or Australian, or Filipino, mean to you?” Would you get the same kind of answers?
Self identity is a huge issue that defines our lives. Its roots date back to infancy and early childhood and is framed by our racial background and environment. What’s also curious is how this manifests itself in a melting pot kind of society. I’ve been thinking about this since Tiger Woods, Lou Diamond Phillips and Tom Laughlin came up in an earlier blog. Just how do people of mixed ancestry self-identify? In Tiger’s case at least, it appears that people identify him based on predominant racial features but from what little I know about him, he doesn’t necessarily regard himself as black.
Culturally speaking, Natives have to deal with a phenomenon known as ‘wannabe Indians.’ While I’ve talked before about our culture and images being co-opted and taken from us, this appears to extend to people who simply want to identify themselves with the Native Americans of this country, whether or not they have any Native heritage at all. Ever see some white guy dressed all in buckskin? I don’t think he was trying to emulate Daniel Boone.
This is a real issue in Indian country because people with no Native heritage at all sell arts and crafts and demand top dollar for their goods based on them being authentic Indian handicrafts. In recent years, there’s also been a couple of cases in academia where scholars and writers have tried to qualify their work based on non-existent Native heritage.
For most of the Natives I know, being Native and living as a Native are not inseparable. I had a talk with my daughter recently where I told her that in my work and in my writings, there was an imperative that I not only be Indian, but a militant one. I really feel that as a people who suffered an American holocaust and were nearly wiped off the planet as a distinct race, there is a burden placed on those of us who remain to try and maintain what’s left. To resurrect and reclaim what we can, and find a way to take our people onward through the next seven generations.
Another cultural anomaly that Natives have to deal with: people make a point of informing you “I’m part (insert tribal name here) ya know.” I’ve also had numerous people tell me they’re Indian, but they have no idea from what tribe they have ancestors. One tip, Natives find this annoying. If you’re in a discussion about culture or heritage, go ahead and bring it up. If you’re not, skip it. This continent used to be red from sea to shining sea, the likelihood of interbreeding dating back to colonial times is an accepted concept in Indian country. In fact, it’s pretty common now.
Part of the reason this is annoying is the question, “why are we subjected to you telling us you’re Native?” Does that put you on the same footing with us? Does that dismiss or negate biases if you feel you’re the same as us? I don’t know the answer to that one. What I do know is that it’s certainly not common for white folks to meet a black person and blurt out loud, “I’m part African, ya know” so I’m only asking you treat us as you would any other minority.
If you self-identify with being Indian, cool, but the Natives I know, whatever the darkness or lightness of their skin, don’t have to tell me they’re Native.
Indianz.com: What Does Being Indian Mean To You? An excerpt:
-Knowing who I am and where I came from
-Knowing all my relatives
-To know that every day is a blessed day to be cherished and respected.
-Belonging to the Indian community locally and at large
-Being a part of ceremonies
-Feeling the sacred fires to the depths of my heart and soul.
-Feeling the words and the melodies of the songs of my ancestor's resonate through my very being, reminding me every moment of every day that I am Native
-A relentless sense of longing to be among my relatives, to speak the language and participate in my tribal ways
-Enjoyment of the rareness of beauty of nature
-Knowing that the rocks are my ancestor's, and water IS life.
-Learning and understanding more each day that each of us: human beings, trees, plants, earth, animals, water and the air that we breathe, are all related and are everyone as important as the other.
-Pride for knowing where I come from
-Pride for knowing what my ancestors have endured
-Sadness for knowing history
-Knowing all my relatives
-To know that every day is a blessed day to be cherished and respected.
-Belonging to the Indian community locally and at large
-Being a part of ceremonies
-Feeling the sacred fires to the depths of my heart and soul.
-Feeling the words and the melodies of the songs of my ancestor's resonate through my very being, reminding me every moment of every day that I am Native
-A relentless sense of longing to be among my relatives, to speak the language and participate in my tribal ways
-Enjoyment of the rareness of beauty of nature
-Knowing that the rocks are my ancestor's, and water IS life.
-Learning and understanding more each day that each of us: human beings, trees, plants, earth, animals, water and the air that we breathe, are all related and are everyone as important as the other.
-Pride for knowing where I come from
-Pride for knowing what my ancestors have endured
-Sadness for knowing history
-Living with a continual sense of undying outrage and anger
-Clear goals for knowing that what I want from my education is the ability to fight against the injustices done to Indian people
-Giving to my people and putting them first
-Living my life to the best of my human ability in order to set an example for my son, in hope that one day our ways will be the path that he will want to continue to walk
-Clear goals for knowing that what I want from my education is the ability to fight against the injustices done to Indian people
-Giving to my people and putting them first
-Living my life to the best of my human ability in order to set an example for my son, in hope that one day our ways will be the path that he will want to continue to walk
-Looking forward to old age and not being ashamed to admit my age
-NDN humor
-NDN humor
-Knowing that "Indian time" is the best time
-Being at home in any pow wow or gathering because I will have friends or relatives there
-Knowing that I will always be offered food or water when I visit my family or friends (even if it is the last they have), and knowing that I will do the same when they visit me
-Being able to feed fifty people with a pot of beans, stew, fry bread and lots of coffee
-There is so much more, so many things both large and small, but the most important thing to me is knowing in my heart that my ancestors are still here with me, helping me and my family everyday.
-Being at home in any pow wow or gathering because I will have friends or relatives there
-Knowing that I will always be offered food or water when I visit my family or friends (even if it is the last they have), and knowing that I will do the same when they visit me
-Being able to feed fifty people with a pot of beans, stew, fry bread and lots of coffee
-There is so much more, so many things both large and small, but the most important thing to me is knowing in my heart that my ancestors are still here with me, helping me and my family everyday.
- Kawlija's blog
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Comments
Submitted by thebrigade on Thu, 03/15/2007 - 17:45
Submitted by NotStyro on Thu, 03/15/2007 - 18:02