Louise adopted INDIAN children w/FASD & raised them- these were not her children but the children of Indian people who drank & used drugs during their pregnancy- she has done a lot of work & awareness for FASD in Indian communities, more than many other people have in her position- she deserves some credit, not do be hacked for not being a full-blooded Indian or not dark-skinned enough- as 1 person said its what 1 does for the community that counts but only if 1 can see broadly...
There are multiple realities of Native American identity. We have our own experiences & upbringings. If 1 is part Native & not enrolled does not mean they cannot identify to some degree. However there is some truth in being raised in the culture & w/traditions that can give some Indians a stronger identity due to the experiences & history of their people. Yes, Louise didn't suffer as many Indians have- she came from a privileged situation but has done something for Indian communities too.
(cont.) You are just another typical North American (with a possibly mixed past) claiming Indigenous ancestry, which is offensive to those who've been 'Indians' since birth - for better or for worse. It's not a band wagon, it's our lives. Tribal affiliation goes beyond enrollment, it's community and our lives. Tired of this same "wah wah I'm privileged but I wanna belong" meme.
@mondotrasho I grew up in and around native communities and never had to ask to be invited in. Where I grew up it is not about meme it's about community and that's is what i'm about. I was just commenting on the fact my grandfather was taken away from his family and given a different name and stripped of who he was. I am trying to find out more because I feel connected to the place of my birth and my people. You don't sound like my people anyway. You just made my point. BRA
Then you are not "Native". It is more than just genetics, rumored ancestry or a distant connection - you are either raised with an understanding of exactly who and what you come from and immersed in the culture (including the religion, language, oral traditions) since birth...or not. If not, then let it go.
@mondotrasho Sorry BRA. But my point is that my family was disconnected from their past intentionally, driven from their families and made to forget, religion and language. This is not uncommon in the Midwest. My grandfather still remembers oral traditions and talked to me about his family before he past. I grew up getting my ass kicked and being called a nigger because of my skin and who I am. This is negative side of the native community, somehow unless your full blooded you are nothing.
I think there are many people in the same situations but the slow demise of native culture and people is both on the shoulders of the tribes as well as the federal govt who allow blood quantums and politics to deprive people of their heritage. I wish this was a part of the discussion.
Tribes and the federal govt are equally to bare for the tribes slowly disappearing. I have my great grandmother and grandfather who taught me about our people in Wisconsin where I grew up. Louise is lucky her grandfather was so involved with the tribe, because if i were to say that I was a Native writer or artist without direct ties to tribes I would be called a wannabe or a fraud, simply because I do not have a piece of paper or tribal affiliations .
I am torn about this, I am Native but the ties to the tribe have been lost and now my family must prove they are native through blood quantum to be regarded as such.
@meganovatron It is hard & a battle. In New Zealand Maori do not have to do this but have to prove Iwi descent. So you can be 1/64th Maori & claim you are full Maor- many do who look pure white. They do not have reservations and benefits are universal for them. So sometimes Indian identity is also a way for a tribe to down-size & exclude people so they can prevent them from getting tribal benefits such as gaming benefits- it seems like a double-edged sword. E Cherokee req. blood quantam tests.
@anglinthemtns Yeah, I dont care much for benefits. I already had a hard enough time being mixed and not fitting in with either community. I lived and hung within both communities and never fit into either.
Louise adopted INDIAN children w/FASD & raised them- these were not her children but the children of Indian people who drank & used drugs during their pregnancy- she has done a lot of work & awareness for FASD in Indian communities, more than many other people have in her position- she deserves some credit, not do be hacked for not being a full-blooded Indian or not dark-skinned enough- as 1 person said its what 1 does for the community that counts but only if 1 can see broadly...
anglinthemtns 10 months ago
There are multiple realities of Native American identity. We have our own experiences & upbringings. If 1 is part Native & not enrolled does not mean they cannot identify to some degree. However there is some truth in being raised in the culture & w/traditions that can give some Indians a stronger identity due to the experiences & history of their people. Yes, Louise didn't suffer as many Indians have- she came from a privileged situation but has done something for Indian communities too.
anglinthemtns 10 months ago
(cont.) You are just another typical North American (with a possibly mixed past) claiming Indigenous ancestry, which is offensive to those who've been 'Indians' since birth - for better or for worse. It's not a band wagon, it's our lives. Tribal affiliation goes beyond enrollment, it's community and our lives. Tired of this same "wah wah I'm privileged but I wanna belong" meme.
mondotrasho 1 year ago
@mondotrasho I grew up in and around native communities and never had to ask to be invited in. Where I grew up it is not about meme it's about community and that's is what i'm about. I was just commenting on the fact my grandfather was taken away from his family and given a different name and stripped of who he was. I am trying to find out more because I feel connected to the place of my birth and my people. You don't sound like my people anyway. You just made my point. BRA
meganovatron 9 months ago
@meganovatron:
Then you are not "Native". It is more than just genetics, rumored ancestry or a distant connection - you are either raised with an understanding of exactly who and what you come from and immersed in the culture (including the religion, language, oral traditions) since birth...or not. If not, then let it go.
mondotrasho 1 year ago
@mondotrasho Sorry BRA. But my point is that my family was disconnected from their past intentionally, driven from their families and made to forget, religion and language. This is not uncommon in the Midwest. My grandfather still remembers oral traditions and talked to me about his family before he past. I grew up getting my ass kicked and being called a nigger because of my skin and who I am. This is negative side of the native community, somehow unless your full blooded you are nothing.
meganovatron 9 months ago
I think there are many people in the same situations but the slow demise of native culture and people is both on the shoulders of the tribes as well as the federal govt who allow blood quantums and politics to deprive people of their heritage. I wish this was a part of the discussion.
meganovatron 2 years ago
Tribes and the federal govt are equally to bare for the tribes slowly disappearing. I have my great grandmother and grandfather who taught me about our people in Wisconsin where I grew up. Louise is lucky her grandfather was so involved with the tribe, because if i were to say that I was a Native writer or artist without direct ties to tribes I would be called a wannabe or a fraud, simply because I do not have a piece of paper or tribal affiliations .
meganovatron 2 years ago
I am torn about this, I am Native but the ties to the tribe have been lost and now my family must prove they are native through blood quantum to be regarded as such.
meganovatron 2 years ago
@meganovatron It is hard & a battle. In New Zealand Maori do not have to do this but have to prove Iwi descent. So you can be 1/64th Maori & claim you are full Maor- many do who look pure white. They do not have reservations and benefits are universal for them. So sometimes Indian identity is also a way for a tribe to down-size & exclude people so they can prevent them from getting tribal benefits such as gaming benefits- it seems like a double-edged sword. E Cherokee req. blood quantam tests.
anglinthemtns 10 months ago
@anglinthemtns Yeah, I dont care much for benefits. I already had a hard enough time being mixed and not fitting in with either community. I lived and hung within both communities and never fit into either.
meganovatron 9 months ago