Cathy, >But I have also found that if you >approach things with a sincere and open heart and don't go overboard trying >to push your way into their circle they will take the time to look and will >see the 'spirit' that you carry inside. Once they do it has been my >experience that they will open up to you, accept you into their hearts and >lives whether you can prove a paper trail or not and whether you are of >their same tribe or not. You are so right. You explained it so well. This has been my experience also. As with any other people if you show respect, you will receive respect. Markie At 05:02 PM 05/24/2000 -0500, you wrote: >I am new to the list and have just been on the sidelines mostly reading and >soaking in all that is being said. I can agree with some of what most people >are saying. True there are some who will always look down on those of us who >do not have a card. That does not make us any less Indian in our hearts and >souls. I can see their wariness as they have already had so much taken away >from them and are leery that it might be just another ploy that will strip >away just a little more of their heritage. But I have also found that if you >approach things with a sincere and open heart and don't go overboard trying >to push your way into their circle they will take the time to look and will >see the 'spirit' that you carry inside. Once they do it has been my >experience that they will open up to you, accept you into their hearts and >lives whether you can prove a paper trail or not and whether you are of >their same tribe or not. So many times they have been 'put off' by some of >these folks who are so anxious to be 'indian' that they grab onto a little >bit of this and that regardless of what tribe it came from just because it >sounds good or looks good. And to make matters worse they will not listen to >anything different from what they read in so and so's book or such and such >'medicine person' told them. Those are the ones that make it hard for some >of the rest of us out here without cards or strikingly visible blood lines >to be accepted by the native community. But if you just hang in there and >conduct yourself in a proper manner the truth will always win out. Thanks >for letting me vent my feelings. I intend no disrespect to anyone whether we >may agree or not. Just thought I'd put my two cents worth in. >Cathy