NATIVE AMERICAN WANNABE

[oldn8tivemale (deleted)]

`I see native people giving blood all the time for cash. And I wonder where is that blood going... is it going to another native is it going to a black person a white person? Does it make that person part native. If a native person needs blood in an emergency situation is that person going to wait for native blood. Blood is red... period. it gives us all life.You can believe in all that government quantum.BS. It doesnt make you anymore special than the next person. It just causes this kind of disharmony among natives.

[malakotawelo]

`in my experience, years ago, i visited pine ridge, i was invited there by some friends of mine when i was younger... i was treated with respect, and treated like i was a member of the family, i was offered food, and i know these people did not have much, but i was glad to partake, because it was the closeness of it... i felt more at home there than i have ever felt in the last 30 some years...

i was not called a wannabe, even though i cut my hair to the shape of a traditional mowhawk, not like the punk rockers, but in honor of the people i have come from... the college i attended told me to cut it, or face punishment, but that is a different story...

when i was much younger, the old ways were taught along with the new ways, an example is my father taught me and my brother how to fashion moccasins, and birch bark canoes... how to make bow and arrow, how to skin animals and dry their skins, how to treat all life with respect, and only take what we needed... and even though we were not 100% native, this was an important part of our upbringing...it stays with me to this day, the memories and the lessons...

now i find i am returning to the old ways more and more, mostly out of introspection...the struggle inside has been a long one, and my spiritual path has lead me to learn what is true, and oddly enough, it is much in line with the red road...this line of spiritual thought resonates with me as being the most true...where others have failed...except maybe Buddhist thought...

i think if anyone is really truly following the spiritual wisdom of those that came before us, we learn that superficial differences do not mean much, and the heart is the most important part of the human being... if their motives are pure, then those motives will show themselves in time, as well as if their motives are impure or selfish...

bottom line is that we must remember to keep respect for others in place, or risk being disrespected ourselves...that doesn't mean let people walk all over you, but at least try first to take the path of patience...it may be frustrating to hear/see ignorance, but it helps all of us to hone our spiritual selves, and our minds to be sharper, and to spread greater understanding and respect...

[oldn8tivemale (deleted)]

`?

[oldn8tivemale (deleted)]

[deleted]

[pasanequenape (deleted)]

Let's just say I hate these white people give a fraction of how much Indian they are, it's always Cherokee aswell. I just can't stand that, they say are 1/16th Cherokee or some stupid fraction and say they are so proud that they got a fraction in them. So they try to act Indian. Or they make up a fake Indian name for themselves. I bet they don't even know how you acquire a real Indian name.

[malakotawelo]

`well if they do that then they are the fools... the actions of the ignorant, dont really reflect on someone who is really living the culture they were born into...if anyone puts it on like a costume, then they dont understand it...

its not a role playing game, i agree...

but there are some people who are seriously seeking real insight, and value the wisdom they find within the native cultures...

its all in how the person approaches it, is it with honor? do they hold it sacred? or are they merely trying to be something they are really not? the fakes will show themselves...

[pasanequenape (deleted)]

`To point out a wannabe indian is easy when they call a Medicine Man, a shaman.

[nahashchid (deleted)]

`or if you call them a medicine man too... you call them by their traditional names in your own tongue... there is no sterotyping in our tongue...

[appalachgumbo (deleted)]

`What about *nose bleed* Indians? The next nose bleed they will lose all their Native ;-)

[sihasin (deleted)]

`nose bleed NDNs com'on now we drop our blood but it never runs dry, 1% or 100%. that's why we are here to engage with other NDNs, too keep it strong...

[daniel5247]

usually native wannabes cause more damge to native cultures and enforce stereotypes and mix up a bunch of stuff all together and some of these people try to do some type of ceremony or dance and it is done incorrectly and not at its proper moment plus it is a kind of disrespect to the people those traditions it belongs to while they have suffered discrimination and isolation to preserve thier identity its kind of unfair that somebody woke up one morning and say they are native to such tribe or nation because they read a book a have no problem with sympathyzers and people who have native blood but they had never had a cultural tie to a native identity

[JEDIVIKING (deleted)]

`I feel that we're speaking in the language of Hogwarts with "muggles", "mudbloods" and other types...

Yes, my suspected "native" blood is undetermined. (I have several physical features which hint strongly at indigenous blood, but no proof as of yet - and it may never turn up!)
Yes, I admire and respect all tribes. No, I don't disparage my own European history, but I'm here anyway. Why? Not because I'm a "wannabe" or a "poser", but because I would consider a "native" (dislike that word as all it means is "born" - and I'm "native" to Oregon myself) as a potential dating partner.... and I think that's the main purpose of a site like this... to help people find suitable partners.

Sounds to me that the people that are complained about in this thread are the ones that are irritating to people in all cultures - the ones who are ignorant and make no attempt to fix it, but still put their feet in their mouths grasping at straws to make their feeble knowledge look relevant. The one that, upon hearing an English accent, ask if the owner of it knows the Queen or upon hearing a Scots accent, asks if they know David Tennant or Ewan McGregor.

I don't mean to seem nasty to those who are truly ignorant... I have no problem helping others learn or understand, but it's the ones who are proud (or narcissistic) at the same time and will probably never learn anyway.

Personally, I've always been rather color-blind when it comes to friends and people.

[twilightzoneer (deleted)]

`I respect everyone and their culture. I am Hindu and I was taught to respect all. I am sure the Native American culture teaches the same.

[weltenwanderin (deleted)]

`Mmmh, in some way I can understand both sides.
Of course, it’s a little bit astonishing how many people claims to be of Native American origin because of a 1/8 or even 1/16 part.
But I think it depends on how someone behaves. If he thinks that he can speaks for the Native Americans, that he can claim being a Native American or if he comes and says: Every of my ancestors and every aspect of my family history is important, so I want to learn more.
And, not everybody here without any native American ancestors is here because of a romantic picture of “Indian culture”.
I thought that the intention of this website was to bring people together which feel a passion for Native American culture. I hoped that it would be a good opportunity to exchange our opinions and experiences. So that we can learn from each other, broaden our mind.
I have no stereotypes in my mind and I’m not looking for orientation and so on. I’m German, and my cultural roots are here in the European culture with it’s old Celtic, Germanic and Slavic roots. And when I heal I see me at the first connected with that old European roots and on the second place connected with the whole mankind. What I want to say is that I’m not here to “steal” anything.
I’m just here because I’m looking for new people, new opinions and exchange.

So, what should be important is not the “blood” of someone, but his behavior and his purpose.

[softroses08]

`native american wannabe Cultural Identity

Hello just wanted to comment on this subject. I am only saying be proud of who you are and what make you the person you are. If you are mix then embrace it with the light from above. The Creator is every one’s father even those who don't believe. It is what it is. Know that when you are a new born baby you care not who is next to you in the crib over. Likewise when you die you don’t care and there is nothing you can do about who is next to you. I feel that discrimination, prejudices and stereotyping has infected all of us and this learn behavior is out of fear. I believe that every race is just as important as the next and if you just happen to be a little of this and that. Then hold dear to both if you can. This is your prerogative to do so. And if by chance that you see another culture that seems to grab your attention you have the right to learn about them as long as you don't disrespect them. Instead of pushing others away let’s put away our personal fears and show some love and learn of one another. In the Creator's eyes we are all his children He love us all the same.