Native Circle
Issues
Pet Peeeeeeeeves!
"Part" Indian?
Half-breed quarter breed one sixteen.... what do fractions
really mean?
Could you imagine
having to carry a card to 'prove' you are
white? Or
imagine that, in order to truly be acknowledged
as an African American,
you had to be an 'enrolled member'!
Having to
carry a CDIB (Certificate of
Degree of Indian
Blood)
card is, in my humble view, the very
definition of institutionalized
racism. Good people sometimes share with me that
they are 'part
Indian', or 'only a precentage
Indian'.
This is a sad testament to
the legacy of their Indian ancestors.
You see, the U.S. government
is responsible
for the invention
of the 'Indian blood quantum' law.
As it turns out, this is quite
a convenient way to 'kill Indians on paper'.
And what saddens
me, is that most of our Tribal governments
have
bought into
the 'blood quantum' system which divides
and separates
us
from who we are and has deeply damaged
the integrity of
our
ancient cultures. We are people, not
fractions. Enough said.
Now, having shared my thoughts about 'blood quantums', I will
offer some levity to this topic. I have been accused by some
of being "too kind" to those who claim a few drops of Indian
ancestry and, in their attempts to identify with it, get things
all wrong. I make no apology for being kind or patient with
these folks. However, I want to make it clear that there will
always remain a huge difference between an Indian who has
some white blood, and a white person who has some Indian
blood. The difference is cultural immersion. So if you are
the latter, and you want to reclaim your Indian lineage, do
so humbly, with the patience to wait decades as you grow
and learn the culture. In the meantime, be honest, and be
yourself. No Indian in the world will ever fault you for that.
You are 100% descendant of ALL your ancestors, and that includes
your Indian ancestors just as much as the others. Honor them....
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