It is rather an endless struggle that will go on to the very last moment of our lives.
No one is born a warrior, in this same way no one is born an average man. We make ourselves into one or the other. Every society , culture & people is judged by how it treats it's least fortunate amongst them. Education,status & Money does not make a person human. It's the ethical & moral consciousness and over all a Heart that makes a person a real human.
The Caddoan-speaking tribes did not have clans but maintained bands as did much of the Choctaw. The Creek Confederacy consisted of many tribes . The Cherokee was a tribe of clans.
The Illinois Confederacy tribes, the Santees (Mdewakantons and Wahpekutes), Arikaras, Mandans, Hidatsas, Pawnees, Iowas, Omahas, Poncas, Otos, Missouris, Kansas, Osages, Wichitas, Foxes (Mesquakis), Sauks, and Prairie Potawatomis appear to be the earliest identified prairie tribes
The cross in circle on staff was one of the most sacred symbols of our ancient GrandparentsPrayer Feather - carrier of individual spiritual messages If we are caretakers of earth�s creatures, then we are caretakers of the earth.
This includes the present states of E. Kansas , E.Oklahoma , E.Texas , S.Missouri , S. Illinois , S. Indiana , S. Ohio , The Virginias , The Carolinas , Tennessee , Arkansas , Mississippi , Alabama , Georgia , Florida , Louisiana and S. Maryland.Most "tribes" had its on language , but the Mobilian language was universally spoken and understood by the majority of all.
The ancient Mississippian culture from which all central and lower tribes descend had respect for Owls, as represented by the number of owls on a great number of objects, including pipes, bowls, beads ,and figurines excavated.. Negative aspects caused by fear of the unknown probably lead to superstitions of the owl.
Owls are active mainly at night, finding their prey in the darkness, flying noiselessly through the air, and communicating with other owls through their haunting hoots, unlike most other birds, which are active in the day. Many American Indians associated night with death and the underworld, therefore to them surly the owl was a part of this . Others seemed to have a special respect and admiration for the Owl. Creek warriors carried owl feathers so that they would have extraordinary night vision in battle (Swanton). Of the Cherokee, scouts on a war expedition, who were assigned to locate the enemy, wore an owl skin and imitated the owl's cry. The Cherokee also closely watched owls while they were at war , because these owls were said to be able to predict victory or defeat in battle. So we see that the Owl is one of the most controversial creatures, revered by some feared by others.
From the beginning when asked for land, we generously told you to use any land they might need, there was enough for both people; it was good the same sun would shine on them together and they would walk the same path. Did not we give the French of all we had? Did we not assist them in building their houses and working in their fields?
No matter the type war being waged, a man of two hearts and conflicting loyalties can never be at peace with himself. The French do not understand my people; our culture and their ignorance and mistreatment lead to disaster.
You and the black robes with crosses teach from one heart of said good, then of another heart and to us another people, they allow our women to be in sexual servitude, our young men beaten and sometimes old killed , our hospitality, generosity and culture abused, this by you the French. Our backs are as of to an earthen wall with no escape or pititude; if our destruction is your only satisfaction then may our demise be with honor.
Many people are surprised to discover that Louisiana has a significant American Indian population--the largest within the eastern United States. Although they do not fit the stereotyped image of what most people think of as Indians, the Louisiana tribes , bands and individuals have played a significant role in shaping the distinctive culture of the state, both north and south. Many of the original inhabitants of Louisiana shared their culture with the newly arrived Europeans and early settlers teaching them how to take advantage of the natural bounty of the land.
The Attakapas, Chitimacha, Houma, Tunica-Biloxi, Caddo , Choctaw and Koasati, Jena Band of Choctaw , Houma,Clifton-Choctaw, Choctaw-Apache of Ebarb, Caddo-Adais, East Baton Rouge Choctaw , Four-Winds Tribe Louisiana Cherokee and decendents of many tribes such as Cherokee, Creek , Chickasaw , Natchez , Taensa , Ischenoca "Bayougoula", Appalache and Pascagoula live here.
If you are of Southeastern American Indian heritage then you probably have cousins here.You are always welcome in Louisiana , but here in Louisiana never ask the question how much or what percent,quantam Indian blood are you! Here if you say you are Indian we respect and except that.
Neakita It is the Choctaw Indian word for a type of wild rose. The flower the Choctaw word refers to has a simple blossom with five white petals and a gold center. The Neakita flower has a great and sad significance for the Choctaw.The blossoms are plentiful in the deep south.
1 Nonetheless, the blood quantum is a common thread throughout these varying definitions. The blood quantum first appeared with the Dawes Severalty Act of 1887, the landmark legislation that divided tribal reservation lands into individual allotments. The Dawes Act was a benevolent but misguided attempt at reform; its objective was to facilitate assimilation of Native Americans by ending what the early reformers saw as the isolated and nomadic nature of tribal life. In order to break the tribal structure, the federal government ended legal recognition of tribes and divided tribal lands among individual members. Legislators adopted blood quantum standards to prevent white and black Americans from claiming shares of the land.
2 However, after allotments were given to all individuals with enough ��Indian blood,�� a significant amount of tribal land remained. The land was declared surplus and sold to non- Indians, reducing Native American lands by almost one half. This policy was not reversed until 1934, and the blood quantum standards were never reversed. Since the Dawes Act, many Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) regulations have provided services to those with one-half or one-fourth Indian blood.
3 The Indian Reorganization Act of 1934 (IRA) has been the most influential piece of legislation on the question of Indian identity. The IRA defines Indian as a persons of Indian descent who are members of any recognized Indian tribe now under Federal jurisdiction, and all persons who are descendants of such members who were, on June 1, 1934, residing within the present boundaries of any Indian reservation, and shall further include all other persons of one-half or more Indian blood.
4 Despite this generally inclusive definition, the IRA still excludes those who are not members or descendents of tribes under federal jurisdiction and who do not have more than one- half Indian blood. Due to the government complicated procedure for federal recognition and its historical policy of termination, only about 562 tribes are officially acknowledged.
5 Because many Indians do not meet the federal recognition standard, the IRA definition heavily relies on blood quanta. Since 1970 the federal government has shifted away from the explicit use of blood quanta. Still, the blood quantum as recognized in the IRA remains an important concept; BIA regulations frequently refer to it when defining an Indian.
6 Aside from explicit federal use, blood quanta have crept into eligibility criteria through many other channels. Even in instances where the courts have struck down use of blood quanta, the BIA often uses them informally and secretly. According to Margo Brownell, an attorney for Maslon Edelman Borman & Brand, LLP who regularly represents tribes seeking federal recognition, [i]n its eagerness to apply the blood quantum, the BIA has time and again proceeded without formally publishing its certification procedures...it has repeatedly exceeded its administrative authority by imposing a blood quantum where the authorizing statute provided for a different, and often more generous, definition of Indian.
7 The federal governments attempts to move toward tribal membership as an eligibility criterion have been largely meaningless due to covert and restrictive BIA practices. For the BIA, the blood quantum defines Indian identity, even when federal law says otherwise. Ms. Clark is a freshman at Dartmouth College. She participates in both policy debate and Mock Trial. Her major is undecided as of yet, but her interests lie in government, economics, and environmental policy. The article published here was written for her freshman seminar in Native American studies.
THE UNDERSTANDING
Many who read these words will not understand, but those who have spent many frustrating hours seeking American Indian family connection most certainly will.
Often time those in search of their Indian heritage become disillusioned and feel disappointed or sad because a relative's name cannot be found on any of the government rolls of Indian names.
If you are one of those in this search, think of this: what if suddenly that lost name were found on a roll? Would it make you any more Indian than you are now? I say no. Not paper, but blood makes you Indian.
Most Indians did not put their name on rolls by choice. The government did this either in the lure of land allotment or the temptation of monetary supplement to ward off starvation.
The Native Indian passed their culture and tradition down from generation to generation from memory, not from a notepad or book. Therefore, if your Mother, Grandmother, Father or Grandfather told you or your family that you are of Indian blood, it is most probably true.
Consternation reigned among the Choctaws when word spread throughout their country that the treaty had been signed at Dancing Rabbit Creek, for the great majority were bitterly opposed to the sale of the tribal lands and the removal to the West.
It was truthfully said that the nation was literally in mourning. All efforts toward self-improvement ceased. The thought of some of the Choctaws was expressed by one who said, I will not go to the West; I might as well die here as there.Yet another who had been under the influence of the Christian missionaries made the statement, I can neither sing nor pray, and why should I pretend to do so when my heart is not in it? A third said that he did not wish to leave the country where his ancestors lay buried; that many relatives were dependent upon him, some of whom were old people, and since he had no means to move them to a new country, they might die from exposure to cold and hunger on the way. He added that, The Secretary of War came and took my country. I am in distress. * * * When I see the women and children weeping in sorrow, I am distressed. This I tell you.
The Bureau of Indian Affairs issues Certificates of Degree of Indian Blood (CDIB), which is a Department of the U.S. Federal Government.
Certificates of Degree of Indian Blood (CDIB) are traced only through the natural (biological) parents. In cases of adoption, Indian ancestry must be proven through biological parents to an enrolled ancestor.
The CDIB (or "white card", as it is often called) lists a person's "Indian blood quantum." Quantum of Indian Blood is "computed" from the nearest paternal and/or maternal ancestor(s) of Indian blood listed on the Dawes Rolls.
In other words; if you had one parent on the Dawes Rolls whose "blood quantum" was listed as 4/4ths (100%), you would be deemed to have 1/2 of your Indian parent's blood quantum - 50%.
To obtain a CDIB, you must formally apply for one and provide acceptable legal documents that connect you to an ancestor who is listed with a roll number and a blood degree from the Final Rolls of Citizens and Freedmen of the Five Civilized Tribes.
Obtaining a (CDIB) card within itself does not mean you will be accepted for Tribal Membership with any Indian Nation.
THE INFORMATION BELOW MAY GIVE YOU A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF ROLLS AND CENSUSES,AND WHY YOUR NATIVE ANCESTOR WAS NOT LISTED. The early Indian rolls and Native American censuses, applications and enrollment cards, annuity and allotment records, etc., resulted from Indian claims against the United States. In order to obtain benefits awarded by the U.S. Court of Claims, Native Indians were required to prove their Native American ancestry and quantum blood requirements percentage or degree of Indian and Native American blood required) pertaining to a particular tribe such as Cherokee, Crow, Creek, Seminole, Chickasaw, etc. Once their Native American ancestry was proved, these Native American Indians were entitled to land allotments or annuities awarded by the U.S. Court of Claims. The enrollment records were much later published. Two of the major publications for Native American ancestry and Indian genealogy are the final Dawes Commision roll of the Five Civilized Tribes consisting of the Cherokee, Choctaw, Chickasaw, Creek and Seminole Tribes also the Guion Miller Commission rolls. The Guion Miller commission is primarily for the Cherokee Tribe residing east of the Mississippi River who escaped Indian removal to the Indian Territory in Oklahoma. The early Indian rolls and Native American Indian censuses, applications and enrollment cards, annuity and allotment records, etc., resulted from Indian claims against the United States. In order to obtain benefits awarded by the U.S. Court of Claims, Indians and Native Americans were required to prove their Native American ancestry and quantum blood requirements (i.e. percentage or degree of Indian and Native American blood required) pertaining to a particular tribe such as Cherokee, Crow, Creek, Seminole, Chickasaw, etc. Once their Native American ancestry was proved, these Native American Indians were entitled to land allotments or annuities awarded by the U.S. Court of Claims. The enrollment records were eventually published. Two of the major publications for Native American ancestry and Indian genealogy are the Dawes Commision, i.e. the Five Civilized Tribes consisting of the Cherokee, Choctaw, Chickasaw, Creek and Seminole Tribes, and the Guion Miller Commission. The Guion Miller commission is primarily for the Cherokee Tribe residing east of the Mississippi River who escaped Indian removal to the Indian Territory in Oklahoma. Unlike the Dawes Commission which awarded land allotments, the Guion Miller Commission awarded annuities in monetary form (sums of money). A Place Called Natchitoches The below excerpts show that some voluntary migration from southeastern tribes began long before forced removal in the 1830s. From Indian notes and Monographs a report from Natchitoches, Louisiana in 1807 by Dr. John Sibley. The Natchitoches post or U.S. factory (a factory was a place set up to trade with the Indians) was very important to the U.S. at this time, as it was the border separating the U.S. territory from Spanish owned Texas. The Indians were needed as allies in case of Spanish attack. Excerpts from his notes below ,published by the Heye foundation in 1922. Book available now from the Dogwood press, Woodville Texas.
CHEROKEE - A small party of Cherokees arriv'd in two perogues from up red river with deer skins to trade in the factory, & being the first Cherokees ever to be here and well behaved Indians, I treated them well with provisions. There had been a mis-understanding between them and the Caddos for some years, they had been to see the Caddos and made friends with them & some Caddos accompanied them here as pilots by order of their chief. There was seven or eight years ago a Cherokee killed in Caddo country, the brother of the man killed was one of the party that was here, he told me they had talked it over with the Caddo Chief, who entirely satisfied him.
CHICKASAW - John Homo a Chickasaw Chief arrived with about thirty warriors, and complained that the Conchettas of the upper village on Red River had stolen from him in February last, on Red River in the country of the Caddos, sixty shav'd deer skins, and one hundred unshav'd ones.
