Our story is more than blood.
Native Americans are some of the only people on earth who, after being asked what culture/race they are, and then asked the follow up question:
"How Much?"
I am no part time Indian. This misunderstanding of Native American history has led millions of people, even indigenous people themselves, to question what it means to be indigenous, because now we believe it to be what our DNA tests tell us it is. Just blood.
Being indigenous will ALWAYS be more than blood, or a name on a list.
The erasure of indigenous people began with disease. The majority of our ancestors were destroyed by petty diseases and epidemics caused simply by interacting with the Europeans.
The next step of erasure was the introduction of Christianity to replace the "heathen beliefs" of our ancestors.
The next step was genetic erasure. By defining indigenous identity by blood, MANY indigenous people slip between the cracks, being erased from the shared culture because they aren't "indigenous enough" while those bold enough to simply claim our identity walk the earth AS us.
To be Native American is to respect our traditions, to understand them and have a TRUE connection to the culture.
Not simply an enthusiasm for us, but a honest connection, no matter how far back it may be.
If you are indigenous and mixed , don't be afraid to reconnect! Simply show respect to your respective community, enter it to contribute more than you take. Be humble in your approach, but be brave in your pursuit for reconnection!
Your ancestors will thank you!
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