My heritage?

Question

What are some ways I can embrace my Black/Naitive American hertitage? I don't no anything about the Cheeroke or Cree tribe or my unknown African nationality.

Answer 1

It's tough when you feel disconnected from your heritage. I have some Native roots but it was always kind of a secret that no one ever talked about, so I don't really know about that line of the family or where they came from. I'm pretty sure which tribe it was (based on where I live), so in Univ. I decided to take a couple of courses on that tribe's culture and their language. I felt very welcomed and learned a lot of interesting things.

You might want to start off by tracking down some good traditional music to listen to. That always makes me feel connected. Or you can try learning a language. Even if you don't know for sure what your ancestors spoke or where exactly they came from, you can still feel connected by tapping into one of the many existing vibrant cultures. The great thing about the Native peoples today (and I think it's the same in Black culture as well) is that everyone is connected and everyone is celebrated. A long time ago there would have been divisions b/w the different tribes, but now it's a feeling of brothers and sisters and it doesn't matter so much what the details are.

You can look up local reservations and see if they're holding any powwows which you could attend. Or how about calling your local dance studios or gyms and see if they offer any African dance courses?

Here are a few links that might help you, good luck on your journey of discovery=)

Answer 2

I would suggest you contact both groups. There are sites and publications about the Indian Nation, there are still communities organized according to Native Americans codes. Keep at it.

On the other hand, African culture is so diverse you will have to do a more intense homework. Try among your relatives to find out from which country or ethnic group your ancestors were. It might be Sierra Leone, or anywhere in the West Africa coast. Also the tribe, would be very helpful. From that point on, is just getting in touch with anthropologists and historians, they even might point you to places you can connect with other African descendants of your same lineage.

Good luck

Answer 3

I know how you feel. I'm African American (don't know what country my people came from in Africa), Cherokee as well and also part Seminole. I'd like to know more about where I came from too so I think the best way to do that is take the blood test that can determine what region in Africa your ancestors came from. I'm gonna take it one day to learn my heritage and then study more on it so I suggest you do the same. Also try asking your oldest living relatives who are still coherent enough to recount their grandparents and such, I ask mine alot because my Native American was as recent as my great-great- grandmother on my maternal grandfather's side (even my momma remembers her or stuff about her) Best of luck to you on finding what you want to know too!! And be proud of your distinct heritage! I know I am!!

Answer 4

Research...research...research... I have Cherokee blood lines in my family as well. I think it would be cool to get one of those DNA tests, that breakdown exactly what ethnic groups you're made of. I saw it on Primetime, or Dateline, something like that. It's hard to research what you're not really sure of. I contacted the Cherokee nation, and they will send you paperwork to fill out, but they want at least 4 generations of family, so you have to know your family tree extensively in order to even start that..unless I didn't research it thoroughly enough, and there's an easier way to go about the process.

Answer 5

The history of your black ancestry may be closed to you because of lack of documentation. But, though you may not be able to trace your direct Native American lineage, you can certainly study the history and culture of the Cherokee or Cree.

By the way - you're lucky! That's a great combination!

Answer 6

Learn about them first.
I had to trace mine and it was fun.
We moved away from everyone when I was young.
Start reading about the Native Americans.
Look for African peoples that may look like you. Africa is large with many different types of people. Some have physical traits that are distinctive.

Answer 7

start a family history search using one of the internet sites, visit your library, and best of all.....talk with your older family members, beginning with your parents and work your way up the age ladder.

you'll find there can be so many things to embrace from all aspects of your heritage. happy learning!

Answer 8

your black heritage shouldn't be too hard to embrace, as much as our history is lost just look around and try to educate yourself, as far as the native american thing goes, i have Carib in me ( that's kinda like native american just in the caribbean) and i can't connect with those roots at all, can't even find that much info on them online.

Answer 9

Join the club, honey. Unless you do some serious research (and even then, you may come up empty), your heritage will remain lost forever.

Answer 10

Embrace your heritage by studying up on your family background. But please don't feel that you need to "go native" to honor your ancestors. Just knowing how they lived and died, and whatever they passed along to you is enough.