Like a pup.

I was looking at a Native Website. I have been thinking about adding to my baseball cap collection & thought for once I'd patronize a non-college business. (Ok, a non- U of A one.)

Every time I read profiles online whether it's a blog, a business site, a model bio or a summary Native people almost always give way to many details.

I took several courses in college because one of my minors is American Indian Studies. The general consensus in the class was that it was a bad idea to continue to tell every we met our genealogical breakdown. Sure, we're a proud bunch of skins-but not telling someone my mom is 75% Navajo and 25% Jemez Pueblo doesn't make me any less what I am. I don't think because the government/tribe created a quantum requirement for my enrollment status that every time I meet someone (even if it is over a monitor) I need to reinforce that I'm real.

I mean the fact that I'm breathing and I know what's happening should be enough. I don't know that I understand the degrees of Nativeness completely because I take for granted that my identity is unique. Sure, every single one of us is-but what makes me different is not where I was born-but a combination of SEVERAL factors.

Because let me tell you something-I've been served up some humble pie in my life. I think some of the strongest changes for me personally occurred when I spent some time surrounded by Plains Natives. Their concept of Nativeness was so different from mine that initially I was overcome by confusion and too much pride.

(Let's face it I was traumatized by the fact that they 1) dance counterclockwise 2)serve up some mean thick little frybread 3)aren't terrified when the sunset looks "bloody")

In a moment, I ended up sleeping at the house of a Cherokee man and his wife. The whole time I had known the guy I laughed when he'd say he was Native because he looked whiter than a hillbilly from Arkansas. Believe me, he was the last person I ever wanted to take help from. However when I was at his home he told me (and my roomie-Hi Miss Robinson) a story about Cherokee creationism that involved a woman and dogs. Later I realized what an asshole I had been.

Did you know that aside from animals Natives are the only ones who use blood quantum to classify themselves? I think that was the compelling factor in getting my class to unanimously say, "that isn't right man." (I can't verify this-so you'll have to believe me.)

It's good to be proud of your family and your home...
I'll stop there; I have to do a treatment plan for a 100% human being.

posted by Danna Saunders @ 1/14/2005 09:55:00 AM