between2worlds
Junior Member
Tribe: Hannahville Band Potowatomi
Posts: 8
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Post by between2worlds on Jun 20, 2006 7:19:48 GMT -6
On a couple of other forums the animosity between the recognized and the non-recognized interferes with any rational discussion that could come from discussing anything having to do with rejoining (in some form) the people of one's heritage.
This forum seems a bit more hospitable to open a discussion about this sort of issue.
Why do tribal members get so rabid about the non-recognized? More importantly: what can a "thin blood" do to counter the animosity in a good way?
~b2w
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Post by Huronwoman on Jun 21, 2006 1:04:21 GMT -6
It never fails to amaze me how different people of blood can argue about the same thing when at this time the People need to unite in order to get legislation passed and to stop the threat of more treaties being broken, here in Texas we are fighting this battle and have formed an Inter-tribal Association to fight issues affecting all of the People regardless of how much blood they have. To me even one drop is enough to put you on the path and as long as you want to learn the old ways and the ceremonies and have a personal relation with the Creator, you ARE Native American, so when someone asks you what race you are you say Native American and say it proudly. Many of my people (the Huron) look white and all my life my family passed me off as white then when I took control and researched my lineage and found out about the deceit in my own family i was furious, but by then it was too late as both of my parents had made the journey. Even before then I knew in my heart I was Indian and tried to live my life that way. When I was admitted to the hospital last month the lady looked at me and said so you're Caucasian right and I said NO, I'M NATIVE AMERICAN. Be proud of the blood you carry in your veins whatever the percentage and know no one here will ever put you down because you are not full blooded. If someone asks you how much blood you have, just say enough if they give you a problem walk away, there are more who WILL accept you than be overly concerned about the percentage of Indian blood you carry. I ask the Creator to bless you and your family today and everyday. -AHO
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between2worlds
Junior Member
Tribe: Hannahville Band Potowatomi
Posts: 8
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Post by between2worlds on Jun 21, 2006 16:00:05 GMT -6
It never fails to amaze me how different people of blood can argue about the same thing I agree. I have heard from the enrolled that they fear having their benefit (land, etc) shares diluted. Very few of "the lost" or the thin bloods I have encountered even -want- anything tangible from the People whose blood they share.... mostly it's been like an instinct, like salmon migrating or some such. There is a powerful NEED to know who you are and where you fit. My siblings (there are 4 of us) are proof that the Creator has a decidedly odd sense of humor. Two of us ended up with dark skin, brown eyes and dark brown-black hair. The Creator put the spirits of white men in those. Two of us ended up light skinned with hazel eyes and hair color, while it has darkened somewhat with age (and now shows off the gray waaaaaaaaay too much), that was much lighter. Into this pair, the Creator saw fit to put ndns! when at this time the People need to unite in order to get legislation passed and to stop the threat of more treaties being broken Instead of turning us away, or laughing at the containers the Creator put us in, or jeering at our lack of knowledge (or much worse, and I've run into all four categories of responses in the nearly 3 decades since I found out who I am) - we could just as easily be pointed in the direction of the Real Enemies.... those who have the white man's sickness of greed and the need to possess every scrap that might have some kind of monetary value. If someone asks you how much blood you have, just say enough if they give you a problem walk away, there are more who WILL accept you than be overly concerned about the percentage of Indian blood you carry. I ask the Creator to bless you and your family today and everyday. -AHO I will never be able to belong to the Band I am descended from. While I have "more blood" than many registered for other Peoples, my People (for the good and survival of everyone who remained) kept the BQ at 50% until the early 90's when it was lowered to 1/4. My father could've petitioned for membership then - at age 70 something. I asked him about it once, he just looked at me stony faced and walked away. I am 1/8th and membership (other than acceptance) is not a burning concern for me. I have accepted that I am between2worlds. I can never know what it would've been to be raised -totally- in the traditions of my People. I've done a good job making up for lost time since I found out (along with learning to identify the places where I was given traditional raising from the time I spent with my half blood grandfather), but I realize it is not the same. Neither can those -totally- raised in the traditional way EVER know what it is like to have to walk in the white world. If I had but one wish, it would be that my great-grandmother's choice to try and ensure the survival of our People by taking her descendants aside and hiding us for a time would be put to use by the People now. If I had a second wish, it would be to thank -profoundly- each and everyone who chose to stay with the People. The ones who kept the traditions alive, in secret meetings, in refusing to give up our languages and our ways. Thank you for your blessing for me and my household. We hope that the Creator blesses and guides your efforts in your area to help the People who remained. M'gwetch! ~b2w
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Post by Huronwoman on Jun 23, 2006 0:52:07 GMT -6
Your words speak volumes and I will not comment on them for they say much about you and your Spirit, I thank you for them - AHO
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Post by wardancer on Jun 27, 2006 22:33:34 GMT -6
I think the animosity is all due to funding , when it comes to recognised tribes. There are lots of dollars at stake. With individuals , I think alot has to do with the sudden trend that happens about every 25 years or so ( my mom pointed this out ) for people of very little or no blood making claims to be NDN. This wouldn't be so much of a problem , but many show up at pow-wows , not knowing anything , going out into the arena and acting like a bunch of idiots jumping around to the beat of the drum. Some even have some kind of road kill on their heads , and they think they're "being NDN" If a person of little or no blood and makes a claim of NDN ancestry , does a little homework and learns about our dances and traditions , builds a desent outfit , learns how to dance , then I think they would be more accepted. I have an adopted brother , who is white( no ancestry anywhere NDN ) Who dances Traditional , and is accepted everywhere he goes. No one ever questions him. Knowledge is the answer. Research is the beginning. hard work is the path. I was not raised NDN , but I am a tribal member. It took me years to learn before I stepped into the dance arena. After 25 years I even win a comp now and then ( when I'm lucky)LOL
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Post by Huronwoman on Jun 28, 2006 3:36:03 GMT -6
Wardancer you are very correct! I too was not raised Indian although I always knew I was, and learned what I could in the position I was in, I was an adult until I learned about my blood and its origin so learning to dance and the other ceremonies and etiquette takes a long time finally after many years I feel comfortable with my regalia and with how I dance, I will never be a competitive dancer but I dance for my spirit only so that is not a problem as long as I dance correctly. Thank you for reminding us to do our homework and to mind our p's & q's my fight is for the People in general whatever their blood, I will never see any money because I am an Indian but I have much more in return, the knowledge that I am an Indian and I follow the Spirit Path. AHO
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between2worlds
Junior Member
Tribe: Hannahville Band Potowatomi
Posts: 8
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Post by between2worlds on Jun 29, 2006 19:14:43 GMT -6
With individuals , I think alot has to do with the sudden trend that happens about every 25 years or so ( my mom pointed this out ) for people of very little or no blood making claims to be NDN. The "every 25 years or so" gave me an amused chuckle. I was nearly 25 years old when my kidlet was born and it was her impending arrival that got me digging deep into the family history. Blame the doctors and their infernal questions about inheritable diseases! Of course finding out touches an entire family group... might be interesting to track the powwow surges in clueless thin-blood/no bloods with the birth rate in the general population.... ~b2w
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Post by laughingeyes on Jun 29, 2006 19:53:00 GMT -6
It does change your life style ,it did mine when i found out that i had native american blood .it got me wondering and asking questions .Im very proud of this ,but why is it when you tell anybody that you are native american and you have reddish blonde hair they look at ya like your crazy? that makes me very upset i ask is there a certain way you should look? but i do have the temper when i need it ha ha ,i told my husband that i was N.American he is just as proud of me as i am . laughingeyes
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Post by Huronwoman on Jun 30, 2006 0:56:32 GMT -6
We are all proud of you Laughingeyes! and proud to have you here on the boards! AHO
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Post by Unega Uwohali Waya Adkins on Jun 30, 2006 12:23:41 GMT -6
Welcome to the boards, laughingeyes and thanks for posted your information here! I have been met you from www.cherokee-online.com that you sent PM to me about this site. I wanted to know you are Cherokee or what kind of Native American blood do you have? Just curious.
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Post by laughingeyes on Jul 2, 2006 7:09:49 GMT -6
thanks for making me feel welcome on this site I have CHEROKEE BLOOD running threw me .i was wondering is it alright in our culture to have tatoos ?
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Post by Unega Uwohali Waya Adkins on Jul 2, 2006 11:13:39 GMT -6
thanks for making me feel welcome on this site I have CHEROKEE BLOOD running threw me .i was wondering is it alright in our culture to have tattoos ? You're VERY welcome for making you feel welcome on this site. That's good you have Cherokee blood running threw you. Yep, some of Native Americans have our Culture tattoos. I have one Bald Eagle on my upper right arm (16 yrs old tattoo) also I'll get a Wolf Clan tattoo with Cherokee Font words - (bottom of Wolf) on the upper left arm by this year.
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Post by laughingeyes on Jul 2, 2006 18:38:54 GMT -6
i have a eagle feather on my lower bottom of my back . it looks like it floated down my back.im going to go and get a dreamcatcher on my right upper shoulder tomorrow but what they have in the tatoo shops they look fake do you know where i could look for one that looks like its native american? can i ask what is the chereokee font words? remember im still learning the culture sorry.
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Post by Unega Uwohali Waya Adkins on Jul 2, 2006 22:40:37 GMT -6
That's good you have one on the lower bottom of your back. I can't remember in which Native American Tattoo website with real Native American artwork for tattoos, I'll finding one soon but I found a website one that looks good: www.ratemyink.com/sm/Indian-Feathers-0.html Click on those links and you'll see Native American Tattoos OK, here's Cherokee Typewriter Utility: www.languages-of-the-world.us/YourNameIn/Cherokee.html___ "Wolf Clan" Weird thing that fonts is different than other Cherokee's fonts.... I tried to typed "Cherokee" word in Cherokee font but it's different. It's supposed to be like that " GWY" means Cherokee, that typewriter utility showed: " " I'll finding a correct Cherokee fonts for us when I have time. It's too hard to write Cherokee's fonts here so, we use copy and paste each font with link, click on the right side of mouse and copy & paste link then click cancel properties and then post link with image brackets like this: [ img ] enter link here [ /img ]Type together, not space, so it'll showing up.
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Post by Unega Uwohali Waya Adkins on Jul 2, 2006 22:54:44 GMT -6
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Post by laughingeyes on Jul 3, 2006 3:43:22 GMT -6
thank you its 530am and cant talk to long ,got to get ready for work but just wanted to say thanks again,ill let ya know how it goes today and what kind of tatoo i get k? have a great day
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Post by Unega Uwohali Waya Adkins on Jul 4, 2006 1:46:25 GMT -6
OK, no problems. Let me know when you got your new tattoo and have a great day too.
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Post by laughingeyes on Jul 5, 2006 4:44:00 GMT -6
good morning im talking to ya from work i just wanted to let ya know that i went last night and got my dream catcher tatoo on my shoulder it looks really great. thanks for the web site thats where i found the tatoo at .well i better jump off here and start working ha ha .have a great day talk to ya later laughingeyes
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Post by Unega Uwohali Waya Adkins on Jul 5, 2006 12:47:33 GMT -6
Glad you made it! That's good to checked this out from your work and go back to work. ;D You're VERY welcome for showed you tattoo website. Keep the bandage on your tattoo till about 3 days then wash with cool soap then rise with cool water off and then put maximum strength nesporin - (I don't know how to spell right) or triple antibiotic ointment on it then cover your tattoo with new bandage on, so It will healing quickly. Avoid the sun but you can put about number # 25 sunblock lotion on it, to protect the tattoo from the sun and keep the fading away when you went outside all day, at the lake or at the beach. You have a GREAT Cherokee spirit inside you with your Native American tattoos. I wondering what kind of Cherokee Clan do you you have? If you don't know yet, you can ask Cherokee Elder, so they can answer to you what kind of Clan you have. My Cherokee elder answered me that I have a strong Wolf Clan because He found out that I have a strong scent within 500 yards away from people, animals and air pollution, great eyes watcher at the day and night time in the wild and keep eyes on bad people often to protect me. Also, I keep eyes on the road and traffic while I'm driving a car. Also, I hunting the wild game animals for the foods to eat but I'll pray first and then to eat.
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Post by laughingeyes on Jul 6, 2006 10:01:32 GMT -6
thanks for asking about the tatoo it came out great ,im ready to get another one already.i dont know what kind of cherokee clan i have.how do i go about asking the the cherokee Elder? i scare my husband sometimes with some of my feelings that i have and i can tell him what he is thinking and what he is going to say before he say's it or if something is going to happen .well im going to jump off and go back to work i check back tonight have a great day
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Post by Unega Uwohali Waya Adkins on Jul 6, 2006 12:00:48 GMT -6
You're very welcome asked about your tattos. You can ask my Cherokee elder, his website address is: www.alherrin.com He can helping you to find out what Cherokee Clan do you have.
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Post by laughingeyes on Jul 6, 2006 17:33:54 GMT -6
good evening whie eagle how was your day ? thank you for the infomation ,and sharing your elder with me ,i wanted to ask you where can you find the head dresses like the one you made in the pic that you put on here?we can never be on here at the same time we miss each other all the time welp going to the store talk later bye
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Post by Unega Uwohali Waya Adkins on Jul 6, 2006 21:43:46 GMT -6
I'm fine but tired went to Galveston, TX and done a lot of paper work to do for me to get SSD check monthly (it's for hearing impaired, disability and other handicapped with no job) and went back home and I took apart the peace pipe with deer's horns and wooden pipe that made by Cherokee Nation in east, Oklahoma who made it bad job, so I'm starting restoring it and tight seal on the bottom of round horn and sealing the pipe together, so it'll not be get air leaks while I smoke it with Cherokee people and friends. You're very welcome for the information and sharing my elder with you. My mother, White Feather and I bought the Cherokee Warbonnet kit from www.eagledancergallery.com last 22 years ago. My mother and I made it at her home, the kit cost me $150 but this year the Eagle Dancer Gallery (www.eagledancergallery.com) cost me over $250 for the kit, so I'll order complete Cherokee Warbonnet with low price from Alvin, TX that's where I live close by. Annette Elkins Brown who owns Native American store there and her website address is: www.NativeAmericanExpressions.net She can order or make one for you. Her Cherokee Warbonnet looks so beautiful and colorful, I asked her husband (Dennis Brown) how much it cost me, he don't know but her wife knows how much it cost me with low price because I'm a member of her www.cherokeeshouston.org members. I think she can make one for you with low price, if not, I'll tell her that you a member of this my Native American Community website forum and wanted to order her complete or kit Cherokee Warbonnet to you with low price. Or you can ask her about it. Her address is: Annette Elkins Brown 19414 E. Hwy 6 Alvin, Texas 77511 (281)-331-9788
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Post by laughingeyes on Jul 7, 2006 4:15:14 GMT -6
may i ask what happen to your hearing or what it sounds like your day was busy like mine our every day . ha ha do you have any up to date pictures of you ? my mother was wanting to know also about the warbonnets too. how long does it take the elders to get back to ya? i hope you dont mind me writting to ya like this. im not over stepping myb grounds am i ? if so just let me know ok? i just enjoy this having a friend and finding out about my culture at the same time. well here i,am at work again thank goodness its friday im ready for the weekend ha ha . take care and i'll talk to ya tonight im going to try to be on here about 8or 9 pm hope to catch you on here c ya bye laughingeyes
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Post by laughingeyes on Jul 7, 2006 6:10:42 GMT -6
i just wanted to know what are you smoke in the peace pipe? as you can tell im not in the mood to work today .
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Post by Unega Uwohali Waya Adkins on Jul 7, 2006 20:43:50 GMT -6
may i ask what happen to your hearing or what it sounds like your day was busy like mine our every day . ha ha do you have any up to date pictures of you ? my mother was wanting to know also about the warbonnets too. how long does it take the elders to get back to ya? i hope you don't mind me writing to ya like this. I'm not over stepping my grounds am i ? if so just let me know OK? i just enjoy this having a friend and finding out about my culture at the same time. well here i,am at work again thank goodness its Friday I'm ready for the weekend ha ha . take care and I'll talk to ya tonight I'm going to try to be on here about 8or 9 pm hope to catch you on here c ya bye laughingeyes When my mother was pregnant and went in the bus of crowed people and one who had very sick and spread to my mother and caught measles from a sick lady that spread me inside of my mother's pregnant that cause me hearing lost. But now I can hear everything when something is loud noisy but can't hear with voices, so I put my hearing aids on to listen to people speaking but I still don't understand well but I understand when they used sign language and writing down what they are saying to me. Also, I love to listen to Native American and Country rock music with drums. Yeah, I had very busy to do everyday.... I have new photo of me in my thread: nativeamerican.proboards75.com/index.cgi?board=bq&action=display&thread=1151277969 (I sat on the back and left side with blue shirt. I live alone, nobody can take picture of me yet but this month my member of Houston Cherokees and I will going to by Lake Conroe, Texas on July, 26th and having Native American Pow Wow, foods, craft booths and more fun. Also, they can take pictures of me with them and I'll post in this forum called "Pow Wows!" board for you to see pictures of me with them. I haven't seen my elders yet but I can meet them there on July 26th and I'll let you know what elders to saying about Cherokee's stories and more information. I don't mind you writing to me like this and I don't think you're stepping your grounds. I'm glad you just enjoy this having a friend and finding out about your culture at the same time. Take care of you and your job. i just wanted to know what are you smoke in the peace pipe? as you can tell I'm not in the mood to work today . I can't remember what kind of tobacco for the peace pipe that I had been smoked around with my Cherokee members last month but I'll ask them what's the name of it and I'll let you know. I'll buy more tobaccos for the peace pipe from Annette who owns Native American store. I don't know if you're in the mood at work, how's you tonight?
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Post by laughingeyes on Jul 8, 2006 8:49:47 GMT -6
i was on here last night until 9 then i went to bed i couldnt stay up any longer .im sorry to here that about your hearing loss but that made you or break ya does it? you are still a wonderful person right? as far as i can tell you are . i havent really told you about me ,you know my age , long reddish blonde hair down to my butt,about 160lbs im not what you call gorgous , but i have turns some heads .ha ha , i have 2 kids my daughter is 18yrs old,son is 15yrs .he lives with his dad. i have met this man 3yrs ago and we dated for 2 and then he got me on the plane to vegas and he ask me to marry him ,well he said on the plane i couldnt get away so i would have to give a yes . its been the best 3 yrs of my life except for my having my kids.my life before in my 1st marriage it was 17yrs of HELL.thats why if anybody tells my to go to hell i just say ive done been there and back.its made my a stronger person and i dont trust a lot of people ,thats why i tell people pain dont hurt ,i just think of the cherokee ways and block out the pain .i dont know how to put pic's on here.i would .have fun at the gathering think of me while you are there ha ha .im still waitting to here back from the elder dont you get lonely bye your self?i just looked at the picture of you and d**n you are good looking ,sorry but i had to say that .i would of love to hear the drum you was playing im like you love to hear the same type of music .im going to play around and try to send you a pic of me to your yahoo ok going to let ya go for now ,thanks again for being my friend laughingeyes
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Post by Unega Uwohali Waya Adkins on Jul 8, 2006 15:00:14 GMT -6
You don't have to waiting for me at night time, take your time. I don't feels sorry myself who I'm hearing impaired and disability because I'm glad my mother found out that I have some of Cherokee blood from her and her old families tree and I'm proud to be Cherokee forever. I'm not showing off my handsome looking. Thank you for let me know about you and you sounds a good looking woman and I'm very sorry about your family having problems for 17years..... You were right about Cherokee's way, when something is bad things to Cherokees then they will ignoring them, walk away then to find a nice and honest people. I have my Cherokee's way too. I don't trust a lot of people too but I trust Cherokee elders. If a elder did the wrong information then I don't trust the wrong elder. I'm praying every day and nights with Cherokee's language singing and hand drumming for our members and my families. It's calling Cherokee medicine wheel prayer. But I'm Wolf Clan. Keep strong like a Buffalo in your heart and keep the pains away. You're very welcome again for being my friend too.
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Post by laughingeyes on Jul 8, 2006 17:23:10 GMT -6
i didnt mean you felt sorry for your self,but most people would want everyone to fell sorry for them .i hope i didnt embarrass you by saying that you was good looking but i just tell the truth. and for the family problems that was with my kids dad ,not now. my husband now he is proud that im his wife i can stand beside him not walking in back of him thats what i had to do with the kids dad i was like a slave in that marriage ,but i couldnt take many more .i wish there was a way that you could teach me to speak in chereokee but the only was we could do that is if we called each otherat night . pray for me my employees at work tell me that i need it all the time .i think they say that cause the way i act and talk i just get to the piont and dont lie. and im out going and proud the way i look so say no more ha ha i hope im not talking and telling to much to ya?
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Post by Huronwoman on Jul 9, 2006 0:40:51 GMT -6
Laughing Eyes: I will place you on our prayer list! I will definitely be praying for you, Crazy Crow is another place that sells kits for headdresses, shawls, etc the are on the Internet at crazycrow.com. Most of the time the pipe is filled with a good grade of tobacco, loose leaf if it is available, then the pipe carrier (I am one) puts a small amount of sage in the bowl when you have finished your smoking and stores it with the sage in the bowl to keep it sweet, it is then tapped out before smoking again. As far as getting an elder to help you, the proper etiquette is to approach the elder with a pipe, if he or she accepts the pipe that means they are willing to help you, if he keeps the bowl and returns the stem he is either unable or not willing to help you, that is the OLD ways. We will help you all we can here with what knowledge we all have, I am Huron and Kiowa and not Cherokee but I have many Cherokee friends and observe many of their ways and customs. I understand why your husband can be sometimes afraid of your gift. I too have that problem and it does scare many people away (been divorced for 21 years) but that is their problem not yours, your sound like a great person and I am happy you feel free to post and ask questions. WADO
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