Indigenous Unity!
Now is the time for Indigenous Unity in All Ways
as We Rise Together + We Are Stronger Together!!!
My name is Shannondoah and I am Tsalagi (Cherokee). For quite a while, I’ve been meditating about Identity and Ethnicity within North American Indigenous Cultures. Plus Non-Traditional and Traditional Native American SubCultures in the U.S. today, connected to my personal experiences and also Indigenous People’s Day coming up on October 14th, which thankfully replaces Columbus Day.
My Native American family background is Non-Traditional and I am of mixed ancestries; Tsalagi, Irish, Scottish, French and Scandinavian. Tsalagi is from my Mother’s side of the family. My Father’s side of the family is from County Cork, Ireland and both of my Grandparents emigrated to NYC when they were very young. I grew up in a mixed family in every way. My Mother’s family, while of Tsalagi descent, was Non-Traditional and Protestant. My Father’s Irish family was and is Catholic. My Tsalagi Grandfather did not have the Traditional Knowledge of the Tsalagi “Old Ways” (that I knew of), he simply would remind us once in a while, who we were and where we came from. One time I remember him saying “Remember, You’re Indian”. I think he would say things like that because I was the light skinned Irish looking granddaughter, and also the first, so he would give me simple reminders so that I wouldn’t forget my roots as I began to grow older. My Tsalagi Grandfather was from the South; he grew up in Alabama, then moved to Florida and married my Grandmother, so my Mom was raised in Northern Florida. I grew up living close to My Dad’s Irish family in NYC and as I grew older I visited the South less and less. I feel my Tsalagi Grandfather wanted me to be aware of more than what I looked like, and more than just my Dad’s Irish family who we lived close to. My Mom gave me an Algonquin name, and changed the spelling a bit. The traditional name is spelled “Shenandoah”; “scind-han-do- wi” which means “spruce stream”, “great plains” or “daughter of the stars”. I really like this website which teaches about the Algonquin language http://www.native-languages.org/algonquin.htm
I grew up on the East End of Long Island, where the Shinnecock tribe lives.
The Shinnecock tribe just finally received federal recognition after 35years under the Obama Administration. Here are two great Interviews with two brilliant Shinnecock Tribal Lawyers with Candece Tarpley on Candece’s excellent show ‘Pathways to the Dream Lodge Cafe’:
Interview with Two Shinnecock Tribal Lawyers part 1
Interview with Two Shinnecock Tribal Lawyers part 2
I am proud and thankful that my life is a continual multicultural education experience. Although I grew up in a Non-Traditional Native American family, My Mom and I have been and are learning and connecting with our Tsalagi Traditional culture as well as learning about many North American Indigenous Cultural Traditions, histories, cultures, spiritualities and languages.
We are learning to walk the Old Ways of the Good Red Road and I’m teaching my 5 yr. old daughter Aspen, what I have been and am learning now. Since my Grandfather grew up in a Non-Traditional Native American family, My Mother and I plus my daughter Aspen, are not enrolled members of a Tsalagi tribe. However, we would like to be and are currently applying for Cherokee Nation enrollment. We are aware of the bureaucracies of Tribal Enrollment, however we simply want to learn more and connect to our Traditional Culture more. And we have much to offer, with our whole hearts. Some Native Americans, Non-Traditional or Traditional, do not want to be enrolled for various reasons. Tribal Enrollment is a complex and sensitive issue. I really like the website and article quoted below which talks about Tribal Enrollment:
“The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), part of the Department of Interior is the federal body charged with dealing with more than 500 reservations in mainland USA. More than 100 additional groups identify themselves as Native American, but are not officially recognized as such as they have less than the BIA's ‘blood quantum' of one-quarter Native ancestry, and so are not included in population counts or BIA services. Further, half of the Native American population do not receive direct BIA service, because they live in cities and towns, largely integrated with the general population. The US government has a financial interest in keeping the numbers of recognized Native Americans low, but critics say the right of self-identification is evident in other minorities' treatment and essential to Native sovereignty. In the past quarter-century, although the US government has restored limited recognition of Native sovereignty, government-Native relations are perhaps best described as those of internal neo-colonialism.”
I believe in Indigenous Unity in All Ways. I believe We Are Stronger Together. I believe that if we all Unite, we can create incredible, amazing positive change within our communities. And if we walk together, supporting each other with Love and Forgiveness, regardless of Nation, Tribe or Band and regardless of Non-Traditional or Traditional family backgrounds, we create a United Indigenous Power that is Infinite. We can do anything and everything, together. If totally United, We can, and Are, creating Indigenous Networks around the world that lovingly connect and communicate with each other in Harmony and Gratitude. Together, We can, and Are, creating massive Social and Political changes. While addressing serious challenges, May We Give Thanks for the Gifts of One Another in All Ways.
May We Move Forward Walking Our Hearts Paths Together. We Are One.
Love.
