To document, or not?

[Stringman]

I have been involved in primitive skills (as a hobby) for about 12 years now. From bows to buckskin, my appetite has pushed me to learn all I can and then apply it in natural ways. I always approach this passion from the perspective of respect for my ancestors. The problem is I never knew how strong that connection was until recently.

As it turns out, I found out this year that I have full blooded grandmothers on both sides of my family within 4 generations back, and card carrying cousins in OK that still live. I have been trying to research the various ways to become recognized by the several tribes I have direct decension from and that brings me to my point.

I'm 40 and not looking for a handout. Don't need or want the government sending me free anything. But I do see the value in having a solid, and palpable connection my native brothers. I would love to learn more about my history/culture and possibly legitimize my craft. It appears that I am part Blackfoot, and part Chickasaw. What do I do with this information?

[DC]

Be proud of it!!!

[Zuma]

If you have two grand mothers that are nation I
 would guess you qualify. But you said in the last
4 generations so I don't know.
I think it's 1/8 to qualify. I would get in touch
with tribal members and discuss this with them.
Heck if you can get a check, take it and donate
it to a college fund or the like.
Zuma

[bubby]

Good luck my family in Missouri tried for a long time but with the advent of gaming casinos and other money making enterprises they are expelling members for trivial and oft time unbelievable reasons to sweeten their share of the pot, sad but true

[JW_Halverson]

I say get it documented.  That way if you are ever questioned, you have the surety of facts to back your words.  I have grown extremely weary of people lining up to claim aboriginal birthright status and when they are asked if they have documentation make such spurious claims as that an unspecified ancestor was adopted by another unspecified person of an unspecified tribe.  It's a "put up or shut up" point with me.

And for the record, I don't even have a suspicion of genes that may have strayed anywhere off the European Continent before they found their way into my DNA. I only claim the Norwegian, but grankly, I am probably a little of everything, call it potluck.

[Zuma]

Here are a couple links String

There are tons on the web.
I guess it's Native American heritage month.
The one has a facebook link.
Good luck no matter what you do with your
 new found knowledge.
Zuma

NativeCelebs - NativeCelebs
www.nativecelebs.com/ - Similarto NativeCelebs - NativeCelebs
Information on Native American actors and actresses, with links to their homepages

36 Stars Who Claim Native American Heritage (Slide #1) - Stars
stars.topix.com/slideshow/15462

Celebrity romances, weddings, weight loss, legal troubles, you name it...We've got the ... 36 Stars Who Claim Native American Heritage. Start Slideshow. 1. 2 ...

[Eric Krewson]

Back when I thought I had a NA great grandma I checked into tribe affiliation, if I remember right you only needed 1/32 to qualify. DNA proved the family stories about my grandma were not true.

[Stringman]

Thanks guys for the info and helpful suggestions.

[Traxx]

Eric,
That is most often the case.
Blood quantum for registration is dictated by the individual nation.Some more than others.As was previously mentioned,those quantum's are being changed by many for political reasons.Hell,in some cases,skins are being dis enrolled,so good luck these days.

Some of us were NDN,before being NDN was cool.

[stickbender]

     Do ahead and document it.  My Father's Grand mother was full Cherokee.  But there is no documents, and no way to document it.  My Father was born at home, as were his Brothers, and sisters, and I don't believe there is even a birth certificate. Maybe a blood test.  Not interested in it now.  Proud of it, but no interest in documenting it.  There is a girl out here that is full blood, but was adopted as a young girl, by a white family, and raised as white.  But when she reached out to the local tribes, instead of welcoming her, and helping her, they called her an apple.  Red on the outside, and white on the inside.  So she just , said OK, I reached out, and that is what I got, so be it.  Good luck.
                                    Wayne

[JoJoDapyro]

There are claims in my family. The side of the family it comes from is a crazy mess of brothers marrying their brothers exes and such. No one has been able to verify much of anything, except that the hill people of Tennessee really are a little mixed up. I sent off my sample to the Genographic project a month or so back. I can't wait to see what it says.