I am part Native American, should I identify myself as that on papers?

Question

What are the benefits of doing this? I also notice that there isn't a big population of Native Americans left in the US. Just a question.

I should also add that my tribe is a dying out tribe. My grandmother was Carib and they were almost completely exterminated. There barely isn't anymore of us left. my mother's side oft he family is Blackfeet, but only her grandmother was NA and that is too far down the line.

Don't get me wrong, I am proud of who I am, but eh Caribs only live in the Caribbean and I have never been raised as a NA (my grandfather is Black and German) because my family likes to identify ourselves as just Black. I look Filipino or Hawaiian though, I am kind of scared of whether or not NA will accept me.

Answer 1

Yes! If you have the proper papers to prove this it could really be benificial to you. Some companies seek out Native Americans, so it sure wouldn't hurt, at least in my opinion. And heck, if they're bigots and discriminate due to your heritage then you wouldn't want to be there anyway:)))

Answer 2

Please don't be scared to accept your heritage!

Out of every group of people there can always be jerks but as a general rule Native people are accepting, it is part of the culture.

If you mark yourself as Native then you will recieve several benefits. This is true even if you are not officially enrolled. For example at my former college you were self-declared. That just means you choose what ethnicity you want to identify with and they don't try and prove it. People who self-declared as a person of color got: free tutoring, free printing (which is a big deal), free academic advising by other people of color, some fee waivers, some availabilty for extra financial assistance, and notices about events in the community among other things. It can be a big help! Plus it helps widen your support group.

I suggest that you get involved in some Native activities. This will help you feel more comfortable with being Native.
Some ideas on how to get involved: go to your local college or university, they often have a native american club/student union/organization that always needs help or where you can just hang out. Also you can go to a Pow-wow (because they are easy to find) and ask to help out. Native people, in general, rarely turn down help. If you live in a big city there might also be a community center or native association.

By the way, Native people are not almost gone :)

I am a Native woman. Let me know if you have more questions. You can email me at [e-mail]

Answer 3

First of all. what would be your reasons? I asume that you are concerned with the benefits you would receive by stipulating
this infromation on certain records, but WHY??

Your later question must be a form of satire, or a sad reminder
of mans inhumanity to man!!! After reading the details you summited I have an different outlook on your question! I believe
you are actually on a quest for your true identity, which we all are.

I have been where you are about to go, and it is an awesome adventure, you might lose sight of the reasons you started your search, and the real meanings behind it all may elude you into old age, so all I can add is GOOD LUCK!!

Answer 4

only if you have a BIA number. (bureau of indian affairs)
otherwise it really dies not mean anything legaly. it may help you with some Affirmative Action companies or some schools that have to accept a certain number of minorities. Many of us see the BIA and teh AIM simply as government control groups designes to tell us who we are and what we can do. it is the BIA nad the AIM that stopps any real progress for the Native people. they cloud the media with lawsuits against "offensive" school mascots and never say anything about the fact that a Liquor liscense is 10 times easire to get if your business is within 5 miles of a reservation, when they know full well that Native people are more prone to alocholism due to genetic makeup.

I am proud of my blackfoot heritage. but that pride is part of the reason that all of my paperwork lists me as a simply White.
i do not need anyone to give me a number to tell me who i am.
and i do not need a job that is hireing me just because of a drop of Native Blood that is 200 years old.
when the officials at the AIM and BIA do vision quests and Sun Dance with the People then they can talk to me about who i am.

however this is simply my opinion. my wife has her BIA number and it has helped her in many cases. it all boils down to who you are and who you wish to be.

A-Ho

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if you are true to who you are, then most nations will accept you.
you say that you are descended of Blackfoot, I am descended of Blackfoot also. my story is probably very different than yours.
on my father's side of the family there was a grandfather (4 or 5 greats) that was half blood. and that is my only connection. but i feel the spirit of the people in me. even though my religion is different than theirs. the drumbeat of mother earth is within me. and i am accepted as an equal by most that i have met.
If you respect the people and the land and be true to yourself then you will find acceptance among most like us.

A-Ho

Answer 5

Na, that's not extraordinary. it relatively is purely an area of being a youthful disgruntled American residing with the luxuries of the 1st international which you lose sight of. And, you probably did no longer point out in case you have been certainly a tribal member of a tribal u . s . a .. no count number if it relatively is purely a narrative of "Cherokee blood" or maybe though, without tribal association, then the declare would be hollow besides. And while you're interior reach, then i'd say "loosen up." And in case you opt to debate your politics with different Natives and not a team of nameless non-tribal member on the information superhighway, why do no longer you bypass as much as a pair old vets of the tribal honor shelter of your tribe and tell them your view on the subject of the flag.

Answer 6

Assuming you mean you are a US Indian decent, I would. If I was native, I'd announce it just because I am proud. I don't know that there are any benefits, but who cares. The benefit is having a nationality of a strong people who lived under a humble purpose. What we did invading this country saddens my heart still.

So much so, I think we should drop Thanksgiving and call it, day of mourn for the lost natives.

Answer 7

Here's what I think a lot of people do:
On white folks papers use the white folks standards, and only write "Native American" if you carry a BIA card.
Outside the official paperwork, you seem to have good reason to tell people you are part Native American, join in the activities of the Native American community, and learn the beauty of walking in mocasins. You will discover that there are many, many others walking that path with you, and you are beautiful.

Answer 8

There may not be a lot of them but as casinos spring up more and more of them want to be certified as being members of a tribe to reap the benefits. Also in many tribes anyone certified is eligible for free health care and nowadays that is nothing to toss away.

Answer 9

I think it depends how much NA blood you have, because a lot of Americans are part native. If your look stone white, there might be a problem. Stick to your dominate race and be proud.

Answer 10

It sounds like you're enough to be considered for a lot of financial aid and scholarships given to people because they're Native American. So, yes. There aren't a lot left because most are mixed.