I must agree here. For over 4 decades I have searched for answers, for proof of my NA heritage. My grandmother and her family told us that her own mother was full blooded "Indian". Even my uncle on my other side knew the truth but when I asked about it, it was as if it was a dirty little secret and the family kept it hushed. You on this group who know who you are, who your grandparents are have no idea of the torment of not having the proof to justify the pull of certain music, certain books, things that confirm your identity. We may be wannabees but we are wannabees for a reason. NA blood runs through my veins and I can't prove it with written documents. My grandmother has been listed as black and then white on census records but never Indian. I was told I was black Irish and to let it go. I think that as knowledgeable and brilliant as some of the contributors here are, they are also condescending and mean to those of us without "papers", the mutts, the mongrels who only want for ourselves and our children a link to that nation of our elders. It is sad when one can trace their ancestors of Irish or English ancestry back to the 900's AD but not 2 generations back to our Native American ties. It is beyond sad, it is heartbreaking and then to go to a site in hopes of finding some way to get past that brick wall only to be called a wannabee and made to feel stupid for looking for what you have found is wrong. Barb Sam Gipson wrote: > If I offend anyone for wanting to know the truth, over family stories, then > I guess I am a form of a Wantabee. Not intentional. I have English, > (Britain), Scotland, Ireland, and hopefully, NA. > If so, then so be it. If not, then so be it. > > Thank you, Sam > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "csmoke" <[email protected]> > To: <[email protected]>; <[email protected]> > Sent: Friday, August 08, 2008 11:39 PM > Subject: Re: [CREEK-SOUTHEAST] In looking > forancestorsalwayscheckoutArkansas,Louisiana and Texas > >

I have never considered someone with Indian ancestry and no tribal ties to be a wannabe. When I think about wannabees, I think about the folks with a "Cherokee Indian princess" great great grandmother or the boy scouts at pow wows with not one drop of Indian blood but the finest regalia money can buy. I think about New Agers who are "Indian in their heart," or even better, "Indian in a previous life." As tribal historian and genealogist, I have met many people searching for their heritage. There is a longing there to find out who they are and they have little more to go on than whispered rumors in their own family. Sometimes I can help them document who they are and sometimes not. Often, I can point to traditions in their family that they didn't know where Indian, or to physical features that reveal their ancestry. But those folks aren't wannabees. Those folks are our lost cousins, and for those of us who are fortunate enough to have always known who we are, our job is to help them find their way home. Michelle In a message dated 08/09/08 12:44:56 Eastern Standard Time, [email protected] writes: I must agree here. For over 4 decades I have searched for answers, for proof of my NA heritage. My grandmother and her family told us that her own mother was full blooded "Indian". Even my uncle on my other side knew the truth but when I asked about it, it was as if it was a dirty little secret and the family kept it hushed. You on this group who know who you are, who your grandparents are have no idea of the torment of not having the proof to justify the pull of certain music, certain books, things that confirm your identity. We may be wannabees but we are wannabees for a reason. NA blood runs through my veins and I can't prove it with written documents. My grandmother has been listed as black and then white on census records but never Indian. I was told I was black Irish and to let it go. I think that as knowledgeable and brilliant as some of the contributors here are, they are also condescending and mean to those of us without "papers", the mutts, the mongrels who only want for ourselves and our children a link to that nation of our elders. It is sad when one can trace their ancestors of Irish or English ancestry back to the 900's AD but not 2 generations back to our Native American ties. It is beyond sad, it is heartbreaking and then to go to a site in hopes of finding some way to get past that brick wall only to be called a wannabee and made to feel stupid for looking for what you have found is wrong. Barb

Barb, I have to say that I don't think anyone on this site is saying that others are wannabees.... only that some of the federally recognized tribes call us "wannabees". I think that most of us on this list have the same stories you mentioned. Please do not take the conversations here as personal insult. Most people on this list are very helpful and willing to share whatever knowledge and skills they have. Jackie GGG Granddaughter of Zachariah C. Phillips STB Creek Indian -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of barbara keel Sent: Saturday, August 09, 2008 12:44 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [CREEK-SOUTHEAST] In looking forancestorsalwayscheckoutArkansas, Louisiana and Texas I must agree here. For over 4 decades I have searched for answers, for proof of my NA heritage. My grandmother and her family told us that her own mother was full blooded "Indian". Even my uncle on my other side knew the truth but when I asked about it, it was as if it was a dirty little secret and the family kept it hushed. You on this group who know who you are, who your grandparents are have no idea of the torment of not having the proof to justify the pull of certain music, certain books, things that confirm your identity. We may be wannabees but we are wannabees for a reason. NA blood runs through my veins and I can't prove it with written documents. My grandmother has been listed as black and then white on census records but never Indian. I was told I was black Irish and to let it go. I think that as knowledgeable and brilliant as some of the contributors here are, they are also condescending and mean to those of us without "papers", the mutts, the mongrels who only want for ourselves and our children a link to that nation of our elders. It is sad when one can trace their ancestors of Irish or English ancestry back to the 900's AD but not 2 generations back to our Native American ties. It is beyond sad, it is heartbreaking and then to go to a site in hopes of finding some way to get past that brick wall only to be called a wannabee and made to feel stupid for looking for what you have found is wrong. Barb Sam Gipson wrote: > If I offend anyone for wanting to know the truth, over family stories, then > I guess I am a form of a Wantabee. Not intentional. I have English, > (Britain), Scotland, Ireland, and hopefully, NA. > If so, then so be it. If not, then so be it. > > Thank you, Sam > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "csmoke" <[email protected]> > To: <[email protected]>; <[email protected]> > Sent: Friday, August 08, 2008 11:39 PM > Subject: Re: [CREEK-SOUTHEAST] In looking > forancestorsalwayscheckoutArkansas,Louisiana and Texas > > ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG. Version: 7.5.524 / Virus Database: 270.6.0/1601 - Release Date: 8/8/2008 9:02 AM No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG. Version: 7.5.524 / Virus Database: 270.6.0/1601 - Release Date: 8/8/2008 9:02 AM