NA Id cards

I was asked over the weekend about Native American ID cards. There are different types, and for different reasons (work, benefits, production of goods). Some people, even some Native Americans, believe that without a federal ID card, you aren't Native American. I think it is pretty obvious that that isn't true at all.

I am all about doing things the right way, respectfully, and correctly. But if I saw what looked like a lily white person , correctly loading a pipe, singing the songs, and correctly performing the whole ceremony, I wouldn't say..."Hey, let me see your card!" I have seen some folks do it incorrectly, and I know they don't have a card, so I wasn't too disappointed, just pissed off. But the CARD isn't the factor here, although some people make it out to be.

The first side of this is that you can obtain an ID card , and it is necessary for some things, such as certain rights given to Native Americans, and to take advantage of certain programs.  It is not necessary to have it to walk around the US and live the way you want to. It is required to prove your ancestry to sell goods marked Native American made or to carry certain feathers.

There is a negative side to this. There are many complaints about being a "Carded Indian".

Native Americans are the only poeple required in this country to prove their bloodline.
 Many Natives think this is unnecessary and discriminatory.

There are groups that are Native American to the core, but cannot possess such cards from the federal government as they were recognized tribes BEFORE the US Government existed. The tribes of my ancestors are examples. We were recognized by the Crown before there was a US, so we are state recognized. It doesn't make us any less "Indian".

Another issue is that the requirements (percentage of blood ancestry needed), are different in different tribes. It is easiest to be a Cherokee ( It is 6.25%), than any other tribe. You can be of another tribe, have a higher percentage of  Native blood in your veins than a Cherokee, and not be able to get a federal ID card. This isn't putting down the Cherokee, but the system itself.

Most Native Americans living off reservations couldn't give a crap about an ID card. They look at it as an insult. Why do they have to prove they are Native? Why should anyone have to prove their background on a general basis? No one should. The Native Americans are the only ones in this country that sometimes have to prove their ancestry.

It has become a game of who is more Native than whom. There are some people that look down on others (which happened to 2 people I know this weekend) just because they don't have long black braids, and their eyes are blue.

So there are Natives who won't have a card, because not enough of their blood is Native for their particular tribe!  It is very difficult to find a 100% Native blood person, unless you live next to (or on), a reservation. There are state recognized Natives who have more Native blood than some Federally recognized Natives. The whole thing is a mess.

So why bother with it......if you need a certain percentage of Native blood for making and selling goods, that is excellent, it keeps things on the up and up, but to have a card just to identify you as Native just for no real reason, is ridiculous and prejudicial. You can get a document from your tribe if you are on the tribal rolls. That makes more sense.

Then there is the one thing that is the REALLY important point here. What is it that you do and how do you do it? Do you honor and respect the NA way, or play at it? There are a couple of white people that I know who honor, respect, and live the NA way a thousand times better than some with NA blood. They are the ones who should have not cards, but gold embossed certificates hanging around their necks, and the disrespectful ones should have their cards shredded. It is what is in your HEART, not in your VEINS that counts when it comes to anything! Your religion, belief system, way of life, where you live.....Not what some government or people tells you that you are. Then there are many white people who are an insult to the NA way, playacting , or using their sacred rituals as fun or to make money (James Ray and sweat lodges). These are the people that make Native Americans distrust others who say they are Native but don't look it. They suffer for the actions of people who step over boundaries.

My tribal members look Afro American (and have AA blood),they have blonde hair, red hair, black hair; they have blue , hazel, brown and green eyes. They HONOR their way and actively participate (hundreds of them), in their traditions many times a year. We don't look "Indian" , but then many people who don't live in the desert southwest won't fit your description of "Indian". We watched too many westerns to get our incorrect information on Native Americans. This wonderful woman I know, was questioned by a person who had an ID, but LESS Native blood than my friend ( a few folks knew her and provided this information). She showed her tribal affiliation and information from the state proving she was a Native American and was told, "Oh sorry I didn't know there were such tribes." A Native American that doesn't know about Natives, challenging a Native American's bloodline just for the heck of it. My friend wasn't selling anything, or doing anything , but wearing her regalia.

Asking a person for their card is rude, crass and ridiculous, the only people who have a right to ask are the US government, it is THEIR card, not Native America's.

Be what you are in your heart, but do it RIGHT. Don't PLAY at it, do not degrade or disgrace it, do not go beyond what you are allowed to do, and respect the feelings of the NA community, or any community you are taking part in. When you do that , you are OK. That goes for Native blood or not. And let's not play "I am more Indian than you". That is purely disgusting. It is NOT the Native way.

No matter who or what you are, you do not have to prove yourself to anyone, but you best be doing things the right way, and respectfully, no matter what the group is, Native, Jewish, Buddhist, German, Swedish.......

....and one more thought from a friend who was involved in all of this.....Beware of people with braids, they aren't all Indians.....(In other words, don't judge a book by its' cover).

Be respectful of other people's belief system, but if their way is degrading yours, lessening yours, and insulting yours, correct them. Have the courage to speak up, Creator gave you a tongue, use it.


Peshaui Wequashimese



(C) 2011 Dr. R M Reiter Wolf. May not be used, copied or reproduced without prior written permission.