Floyd Red Crow Westerman - "Where Were You When?"

[runingblackbear]

been here by your side fighting for your rights been here all the time you just didnt know been here fighting the fight that where i have been right beside you my friend cherokee paint clan

[jarrodtroutman9]

This is so true. Even to this day.. I live in Tahlequah, OK. The Cherokee Nation is in a mess and people who are Cherokee, deny it. But not me! I was Native before being Native was "cool."

[stpthreat1]

sioux pride! support the lineal descendents of the loyal mdewakanton sioux (GO WOLFCHILD & MKLAW!!!!!!!!!!)

[sbjoe99]

ALSO to the person that said "the black Cherokees are called freedmen". thats not actually correct. Freemen were Free'd slaves that WERE NOT racially Indian. They Cherokee nation was forced by the federal government to allow the freed men to remain as "members" of the tribe to live among them on the OK Reservation. Some of the freedmen married into the tribe and had children. So not all Black cherokees are "freedmen" only the descendants of the freedmen that NEVER intermarried into the tribe.

[TimShred]

then there are those of us who only want to think of all people as only one race that being mankind. Personally I am ashamed of the misdeeds inflicted upon the native americans by the white man and find very little comfort in knowing my quaker ancestor honestly thought they were trying to help.

[NativeAmerican4Life]

@melas169226 XD No, no... most likely my fault for responding three times because I lack a to-the-point skill of writing.

Making this the fourth.

[NativeAmerican4Life]

@melas169226 Then again, I suppose that's not true. You can always stand and speak up for what you believe in and discover more about your ancestry so it will never be completely lost.

[NativeAmerican4Life]

@melas169226 When it was written, the song was directed at those who waited to come out with their relations to natives when battles simmered down and we had already lost our lands and treaties. To say you're proud to be something you refused to stand up for when you COULD have at the time is an insult.

The same doesn't necessarily apply to anyone today. lol There's nothing we can do about what happened NOW.

Still, glad you're proud of it ^^

[6Nations4life]

@NativeAmerican4Life

theres lots we can still do were still fighting for our land and rights in canada and the USA.

and this song can still apply to theres a difference in says im proud native american and not fighting with us for our rights and continuing to fight the USA that is trying to sufficate

memeber of the Seneca Nation Heron Clan

[NativeAmerican4Life]

@6Nations4life That's basically what I already said in my other replies to this comment :) Thank you for clarifying. I agree.

[Dealz1988]

Am Black and people in my family always said my Great Great Grandmother was Part Cherokee, I always used to say too myself. (Well THAT CHEROKEE MUST HAVE RAN OUT BEFORE IT GOT TO ME) lol, Because I looked Black and I am.

But Sense I started learning about The First Nations people it didn't take me long to understand why people saying that would get them a little Annoyed. I could only imagine how many times they've heard it. Not saying everyones lieing But am just saying I understand this song

[4BearWarrior]

@Dealz1988 I am half Cherokee and half Puerto Rican Taino. There are a lot of Black Cherokee. They are called the Freedmen. Welcome to the family. Not many Cherokee are accepting of others and so many Cherokee are not able to get a BIA card. That doesn't mean anything. If you are part Cherokee be proud and stay strong.

[Dealz1988]

LOL Everytime I listen to this man, I keep saying am only going to listen to one more, Than I say ok Well ok just 1 more, 30 minutes later am still listening to him lol.

[wovokanarchy]

A tribute song to all the Bill C-31 Indians out there in Canada.

[sk9utube]

My mother (who looks whiter than Sacheen Littlefeather) --- born in 1948 once said her mother's father (my great grandfather) was full blooded Apache from somewhere in Arizona or New Mexico. I look white. Not many full blooded Indians would think of me as any different. Where was I when you needed me your friend? Not having it much easier. At least not as far as I remember. I'll see what I can do while I can. Rest In Peace Floyd.

[jimlap4712]

Looks don't matter. I know a man who fought with much courage in the new days battles. He did not "appear" NDN, but no one questions him now. His actions laid his path before him. We choose our roads, and can't just live from the names of our ancestors. If you want an example of courage, be one. My friend Floyd like him well.