Smoke Signals

For all of those readers who did not catch the clue, I am Native American. As I have travelled across the United States and Canada, I have found that a LOT of people actually have ties to some tribe through their grandma, grandpa or step-second-cousin-in-law-on-their-mother's-side. But even those people with more than enough ancestry to be considered Native, have some grave misconceptions about the Native culture.

Let me provide you an example. About blah-blah-blah years ago, I started working for a company and after finding out I am Native, asked about my heritage.

Really smart white guy with native heritage in his bloodline as explained above: "What tribe?"

Me: "Well, I am half Lakota, you know it as Sioux, and I am half Cherokee."

Really smart white guy: "Really? I am not sure exactly what I am. I think I am Navajo or Apache."

Me: "That's great."

Smart white guy: "So, where are the Lakota from?"

Me: "My group is from the South Dakota and Wyoming area."

Almost smart white guy: "What about the Cherokee?"

Me: "Well, the Trail of Tears took most of them from the Carolinas to Oklahoma."

Not-so-smart white guy: "Where were you born?"

Me: "Los Angeles."

Dumb as a rock white guy: "If one of your tribes is from South Dakota and the other is from Oklahoma, how come you were born in California?"

Providing my best possible straight face: "Well, I guess since they both were students at UCLA, I am going to guess they either drove cars or maybe even took a plane to get there."

Why is it people think Natives still live in tepees and ride horses wherever they go? Most of us walked...geez. Really, how is it in today's culture, people still think that we are backward, uneducated drunks? That is like thinking Chinese are still building railroads or Irish are all drunk cops.

This brings me to my point (as I almost always have one). So many authors out there in the world and so few people trying to educate on the current customs and lifestyles of Natives. There is one movie that reflects Native culture, Smoke Signals. I encourage anyone who has any interest of educating themselves to rent or buy this movie.

Did you know...

About 4,000 people died on the forced relocation called the Trail Where We Cried.

Comments

Nirek said…
Thats lovely read! will def see this movie if i get chance
11:51 PM
lilfeathers2000 said…
Thats a great read.
Hang out at Talequah and meet folks looking for a real Indian. Its a hoot. I guess people think we wear buckskins and ride painted ponies everywhere.
10:00 AM
Justice said…
... because when they do see one, they don't know what they are looking at, what with the total lack of feathers and such. People just aren't paying attention, I think.

Smoke Signals was a good movie.
5:55 PM
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