<<But a person who feels an Indian calling and moves near or on a reservation and feels that they can help all the poor Indians because they have been visited by a dream spirit or something need to stop. >> I couldnt agree with you more..those are not the people that i am talking about... <<The world is full of those people, and guess what, they are all going to list themselves as Indians. This upsets me. These new, so called Indians trying to save Native Americans from themselves.>> I dont agree with you when you say these people will probably list themselves as indians..as far as i know, unless these people go to indian centers, or associate with indians they arent going to be taught or advised to list themselves as indians.. hopefully they wont know how... <<Find your Indian connection before you attempt to affect Indian policy.>> Again, i agree with you Doug...i didnt attatch myself to the indian community here to live out any fantasy...i have been told as a child that i had Blackfeet ancestry...for 8 years i have been trying to trace my people...when i started going to the indian center it was to volunteer to help in the kitchen and with the head start program...i didnt have a hidden agenda to pretend to be indian..after the wonderful people there realized i was sincere and genuinely interested in finding my people, they couldnt have treated me with more love and affection..i am part of their family now...and in fact our new director is Blackfeet and he is the one who gave me the final piece of my family puzzle..he actually connected me to my cousins and great aunts...i am so happy to have found them! but you see, i still dont think any wannebe indians will sign the census if they dont know how...and they wont learn unless they are associated with a tribe..David as i said, is enrolled now in his tribe, but he didnt do it to get any benefits..he did it to be among his relatives, and to belong at last to his real family..if and when i ever can be enrolled, it will be a decision i will think over carefully...i understand how you feel tho..and i agree with much of what you say...i was just passing along what i was told at the seminar..thank you for being respectful and discussing this with me...with respect ...kris