HA! Guess Who's native!

[Cappy]

My Mother's side of the family is all up in arms because they can now get their status cards. Believe it or now but I'm Mic Mac on my mother's side and Iroquois on my dad's side. This is neat but to look at me you'd never guess. I have blond hair, green eyes and quite frankly, I look like a viking.

My sister asked me a very interesting question. If I had a chance, would I get my status card. I don't know. Would I insult Native people who live on reserve, who have been treated badly by the white man? To my knowledge I've been "white" all my life, I never had grand parents to teach me anything about these people. But then again, if you have a status card, you get your education paid for.

So theres the delima. I'm technically Native under the eyes of the Canadian laws, but I don't look Native, and I don't feel native (how does one "feel" Native). If I get the card (which is within my right), I get my education paid for. But would I be abusing the system? Would I be offending "real" Natives?

[Boogins]

I can get my status card too, Cappy, after I found out my mother wasn't my mother... long confusing story... but my birth mother was Tsuu T'ina. It's funny, I don't look at all native either, except perhaps for the dark hair; and long before I knew about this, I used to attend powwows on the reserve with a chief's son, and one of the council members kept telling me I "had the blood in me". Guess he was right!

But get the card? I don't think so. No, I don't want to insult my native forebears after all the material advantages of a white upbringing; and, too, flat out, they don't want to see me, a "breed", on the reserve any more, so I think I'd better distance myself as best I can.

Still, I think it's cool to have native blood. :)

[KestrelsFlight]

I am not sure of tribal or government law in Canada but I made a choice many years ago that I full heartedly regret today. I signed off from the benifits of my native heritage for the same reasons you brought up..I felt that I had no true to right because I was not raised in that tradition..Now, I find that because I signed off my children can lay no claim..Im not talking education or health benifits or fishing rights. I cannot access their librairies, nor can my children. They are cut off from information. The tribal laws here in Michigan have changed vastly due to new wealth due to casinos and such, and for very good reason it is now difficult to have native geanilogy authenticated. Get your card...Just dont use it, if you feel as though it might not be proper. Your making your heritage authentic for your decendents.
Kes

[KestrelsFlight]

Oh and I never thought I looked the part either..My sister does..raven haired, deep complection and yellow eyed, Im red haired and freckle before I tan..but as Ive wandered a bit I find that I am picked out as indian, by indians. coloring has little to do with it..Another interesting note..Look closely at celtic and viking features..Change the coloring, they are really very like Native american, then look closely at lore from like periods in time..Also remarkable simularities
Kes

[ambermystique]

Even though you don't feel as if you have been brought up in the "traditional" native way, you are still a part of that heritage. Although, you may not feel the connection to the heritage of natives, you are still part of their blood.

As long as you agree to not take advantage or abuse your "privileges" after getting your card, why not? I'd be proud to have something that verified I am part of a strong heritage and blood. I would only use the card for educational benefits if you absolutely could not afford to go to school otherwise.

Other than that, you should be proud of your blood, even if you didn't know you had it in the first place. I didn't realize that I was about 90% German until recently. I always considered myself more of a "mutt," just tons of nationalities mixed up in me. http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/4/4_1_5.gif (http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001) However, upon learning how "German" I am, I'm proud of my heritage. I've been making it a point to learn more. Even though there are some disturbing things I am realizing about my family when they were in Germany, I still embrace the fact that they are forever a part of me, and I forever a part of them.

Hope I was of some small assistance... http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/4/4_7_11.gif (http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001)

brightest blessings!
amberhttp://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/759.gif (http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001)

[Old Witch]

Get your card, it's your right!

[Boogins]

For interest's sake, I made a quick check to see if I could rightfully apply for my card. I have one point in my favor: my mother did register my birth, so I qualify as Tsuu T'ina. I have one point against me: my mother never reported my father taking me from me, changing my name, and taking me to be raised with the rest of his kids. The old Department of Indian Affairs was peculiarly aware of this, but the new Bureau of Indian Affairs and Northern Development says too, bad, so sad, I am not Tsuu T'ina because my mother refused to claim me.

There is a word for this, and it is AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!!!

Sorry, I'm really annoyed.

[Flaire-FireStar]

I can't really say much, because I'm not all caught up with the laws concerning natives in Canada.. Though it is neat finding out your roots, eh? (teeehee)

I'm part Cree m'self.

[Amethyst Rose]

I'm 1/8th Blackfoot. What's needed for you to get your card?

[Boogins]

Indian Affairs seemed to think it's half or up. Sorry. :( But then Indian Affairs can't decide if I'm native or not.

[Galaxia]

Ω

[SnowStar]

I think in the US (I could be mistaken) it's only 1/16. I forget precisely, but I do know that I'm one generation too late to qualify for any monies for education. My dad could have, had he and his parents known about it at the time, but alas they did not. I have been told by my grandmother, however, that I look very much like my Cherokee something-great-grandmother. Apparently, many Cherokee are very light-skinned, as I am, but unlike other very light-skinned people such as those of Celtic descent (which I also am) but are not as quick to burn. I learned this not too long ago, and it actually explained a lot as to why I don't really burn or tan at all!

I am quite a mutt, though...a pretty even mix of Scottish/English, German, Ukranian, and Cherokee, with a dash of Scandinavian and Swiss thrown in for flavor ;) I'm told that I favor all of those backgrounds well in some capacity or another.

[Lady Jade]

do it!!! Take whatever gifts are given to you in whatever form. your heritiage is something to be proud of regardless of how "native" you feel. I vote: do it. If you never use it, that's your choice, but what about any children you might have? Will they be affected if you do not apply for the card?

[Juniecat]

I'd say do it. Your heart is in the right place...you know you are not setting out to abuse the system or the heritage, and I think, as it's been said above, it would be a shame to cut your children off from possible benefits that aren't just monetary.

[Nighthawk]

My stepfather is fullblood.... and registered... I wish, wish wish I could get a card just to have it. I was raised in some of the old ways, and knew people who practised them.... GET THE CARD!!! I do not think you will be sorry

[Boogins]

Well, given everyone's advice, I think I will--if they'll let me, LOL!--and I'd suggest Cappy do it too. :)

[Ravens_Tears]

I think if you are eligible for a card you should certainly get it. If you can have full treaty status you would get educational benefits. Not much else besides hunting and fishing rights if you live off reserve. I know alot of treaty who live off-reserve and there's no tax breaks or anything like that in terms of income tax etc... Personally I would be interested in getting metis status but that won't be happening. They are sure my Great, great, great (??) grandmother was Mohawk from the Oka reserve but there is no proof as the documents there were destroyed and she married a white man.

[omar]

Get the card. In Ohio the only tribe is the Ohio Shawnee Reminet Tribe & you have to be able to prove you are 1/8 th NA before you can join. I am only 1/64th,so i'm out. I do not know if the is a US Gove. standard?

[Nighthawk]

I would get the card. It is by rights yours, and you will not take $$ away from anyone else. Not only that, but in time you will more than likely feel a difference of opinion and life. By the way. I have missed you.

[Underhill]

I have blond hair, green eyes and quite frankly, I look like a viking.

http://diwad.ovh.org/artykuly/gfxart/intro.png
Which one???

[Agaliha]

I'm half Cherokee-- Paternal grandfather and his twin sister were adopted off the Reservation. They were full. My father is full Native as well (his mother was native too).
I don't have any of the family history or blood quantities. My dad's sister (my aunt) whom I've never seen or talked to (he doesn't keep in touch much) has all that info. I've been nagging him to ask her to send it to me. It's all I need to pursue this further. Once I get that I plan on getting my Card. I look white and I wasn't raised "Native" but I still feel it's my right and important to do. Plus the there is extra help from the gov't-- medical and educational. I'm to at all worried about using the help when I get it.

[Cynyr]

My Mother's side of the family is all up in arms because they can now get their status cards. Believe it or now but I'm Mic Mac on my mother's side and Iroquois on my dad's side. This is neat but to look at me you'd never guess. I have blond hair, green eyes and quite frankly, I look like a viking.

My sister asked me a very interesting question. If I had a chance, would I get my status card. I don't know. Would I insult Native people who live on reserve, who have been treated badly by the white man? To my knowledge I've been "white" all my life, I never had grand parents to teach me anything about these people. But then again, if you have a status card, you get your education paid for.

So theres the delima. I'm technically Native under the eyes of the Canadian laws, but I don't look Native, and I don't feel native (how does one "feel" Native). If I get the card (which is within my right), I get my education paid for. But would I be abusing the system? Would I be offending "real" Natives?

Uh, excuse me, {raises hand sheepishly} stupid white american here - - what's a 'status card'?

[Agaliha]

Uh, excuse me, {raises hand sheepishly} stupid white american here - - what's a 'status card'?

It's a card/document you get when you prove you are Native.
In America there's the issue of Blood Quantum and ancestry. Not sure about Canada.
It's basically a membership to the Tribe you belong to that tells your status in the community.