Native American Mamas tribe - Page 2

[JessicaS]

That is SHOCKING!!!! WHAT A LUNATIC!!! I would complain to the superintendant that these people are crazy.

If that doesn't work I would continue to find people to complain to until I got results.

My grandmother lobbied congress to get the tribal funds that had been placed in trust released to the tribe. One congressman just shrugged and said, "I don't want to, sue me."

She sued the US in a case that became landmark in Native American law. I still have the Supreme Courts with her name on it vs the United States.

That congressman later shook her hand and said "Wow, I didn't think you would really sue.." :

That is chilling people are so ignorant. There was a movie recently made about such things happening in Australia "Rabbit Poof Fence" it is very good.

[Jane]

I'm just horrified. I cannot believe some people. And he is an administrator, a person respected in his community! Awful! I'm really mad that that is happening anywhere.
My co-workers do not believe that indians are really harassed by police here. They just don't think police are human, too, with prejudices and everything. Well, the one black guy believes me, but why not everyone else? On the grand scheme of life, I think having bad policemen pales in comparison to having it pervade even social government, like teachers and social workers.
I thought it was federal law that foster children had to be placed with indian families?? Our state operates that way and I know oklahoma does, too. When you take away an indian child, there is virtually no possibility that they will go to a white home. The tribal governments also get first "dibs" on the child's case and it reverts to the state only when the tribe says no. And even when the state has the child, he/she still goes to an indian home. Does this man not understand that? What an idiot!

[plum]

About that federal law- People still don't like to follow it, though. It's called the Indian Child Welfare Act and when an Indian child is up for a foster home or adoption, someone in the family or tribe gets first 'dibs', in order to keep them in the community.

However, when my mom tried to adopt my little brother (my older sister's son, so he's really my nephew, which he knows), she had the worst time. Even with a law like that, she met with so much resistance. She even had a lawyer helping her.
It just seems so archaic that people still try to take Indian kids away from their families.

I am also appalled that the school would treat you like that and I don't know what to say.

[~member~]

well, that's the other issue...ickwe only supports those children that are enrolled. The government has implemented a policy of paper genocide. ie - blood quantum is based on land, not actual blood, that is why when two full bloods have children, their oldest is considered 3/4, the next child is half, and so on and so forth. So, even tho I come from a lineage of only natives, my blood quantum is 1/8 less than 3/8 on my mom's side and 1/64 less than 25/64 on my fathers side. So, I am unable to be enrolled in either of my tribes. My children are also unable to be enrolled. There are thousands of indian children who are unable to be enrolled and therefore no longer exist as indian in the eyes of the governement. Both my dd's are considered less than 1/8. Anyone looking at them can see they are full blooded.

So, if my children were taken from me, they WOULD be placed in a non-native home and probably adopted. sucks...always have to be on my toes. CPS has been called on me for breastfeeding my newborn, for not vaccinating, for educational neglect...Arghhhhh! I have social workers and guardian ad lidems visiting unannounced all the time. I have been in court too many times to count, for just stupid shit. I have never drank, never used/abused drugs, don't spank, anyone and just about everyone who meets my girls are so amazed at how loving and caring they are....As most of you know, that's not easy!!! I see my friends and neighbors who yell and spank their kids and it just saddens me, but I know that it is easier to lose your patience and just lash out. It takes a strong mind/will to think clearly ALL the time and be aware of how your actions affect your children. I don't care if my children never have name brand clothes, or even brand new clothes, I just want them to feel loved and cared about, I want them to feel safe and be able to love others and care about others. I don't want my children to think it is okay to hurt others just because they are upset or angry. So many years I have been parenting and doing my best and all this petty stuff keeps happening. It just makes me sick, sometimes.

ok, well, i need to stop. I am on a friends computer. it's raining today, so I didn't want to walk in the rain with my babies, to go to the library.

[JessicaS]

What!??!!?!?!?!???!?!?!!?!?!?!?

Um, screw that I would sue. That is TOTAL BULLCRAP!! TOTAL!!

When did this happen? It isn't like that with all tribes!

[~member~]

This has all taken place this last year. the case against me for educational neglect was just dimissed June 2, seven days ago. nice.
Who would I sue? How does one sue? I have no money for attorneys or anything like that. On paper, we are not even indian, so we couldn't sue for racial discrimination.

[Little Bear's Mama]

Just checking in. Hope everyone here is doing well.
Not much to report,really. Just enjoying the great weather! My dh's drum is hoping to compete at the 4rth of July pow wow in Cherokee,NC. My ds and I will be staying home On the up side, I will be able to participate in the online chats that coincide with the LLL International Conference.

Mama In The Boonies, I'm so sorry to hear about all the struggles you have been through. I hope that everything is on the mend for you! Stay strong.

[JessicaS]

I wouldn't sue for discrimination but I would look into breech of contract. See what kind of agreements the gov had with your tribe. It must be something or they wouldn't have done this.

And talk to the elders about getting on the roles. This sounds like a heck of a fight but it would certainly be interesting.

[Little Bear's Mama]

Just checking in. Hope all is well with all of you.
Do any of you post at www.powwows.com?

[~member~]

CarrieBeary77 - as far as I know, lineage is usually passed down from the females side. In a lot of tribes it doesn't matter if your great-great-great grandfather was indian or not, even if it's your father. Offspring are usually considered indian if their mother was indian. It is different for some tribes, tho. Also, if you were never involved with your tribe, they may not recognize you as a part of them. A lot of enrollment issues are dealt with by a committee and if the ppl on the committee don't know you, they won't let you get enrolled. It's all politics, anyways. It has nothing to do with ancestry. If you are truly interested in connecting with your tribe, I would find out if they have a newsletter or newspaper and start attending the events they offer. One thing to remember is that these are tribal ppl, not an organization or religious group. If you have never been involved with tribal ppl, there are some huge differences in the way of thinking and living. For example - I can go anywhere on this earth and be welcomed into any tribe, it is a way of life, we recognize one another. It is hard living in two worlds, but it is possible.

It takes time, but if you are willing to put in the time and effort, you will be accepted.

Is anyone else on the pow-wow trail?
i am thinking about dancing again! I am still trying to decide if I should continue in fancy shawl or take the time to learn jingle...I feel like an old woman, sometimes, tho, lol! Maybe I should do jingle so I don't break any bones lol! Does anyone know any mothers who dance fancy?

[Little Bear's Mama]

Hi mama!
Long time no "see".
YES! I know several moms that dance fancy. One mom I know is in her 30's and has 5 children! If you still enjoy it,I say go for it!
If,on the otherhand,you're being called to jingle,it is a beautiful dance and I'm sure you would be great at it.
I danced southern cloth,although I have not danced in regalia since I became pregnant with my ds. I often think I would like to dance again. Maybe I will someday. A friend of mine is doing some applique work for my shawl(every woman needs a shawl!). I will do the fringe work myself. I can't wait to get it! I haven't had a new shawl in YEARS! Eventhough I don't wear regalia,I still need a good shawl for intertribals and for ceremonies.

[plum]

I worried about that, too. I fancydanced when I was younger and now that I'm older, I would like to start again. But I was worried that, as a mother, that would be considered inappropriate. I wasn't sure if my age mattered at all (21). But my mom said 'It's up to you'.

I am HOT. And VERY pregnant and I am uncomfortable now. It is so humid, too. I am getting to the point I get to every summer, which is 'My hair is too thick and I want to cut it all off!' I hate when it's hot like this because it feels so much heavier and I don't even like touching it. My mom and sisters are coming this weekend and we're going out to the reservation to cook with my grandma. My husband has only been there once (when we went to the casino: ) and my mom wants to show him stuff.

[JessicaS]

Carrie, if your mother has a card you should be able to get one too. Some tribes follow a mother's lineage but most just sign someone onto the rolls if one of their parents are from that tribe.

Get all your birth certificates together and go and see them. You'll need a copy of everyone's back to the person on the rolls for your tribe. They shouldn't refuse you.

I know any dances.. There aren't really many dances for women in our Tribe. I do a lot on the buisness side. I am on the board of Directors for my Tribe I was just elected to it this year and am really excited.

I am supposed to be planning an event for next year..has anyone done this before?? Anyone have recommendations??

We are getting our paperwork together to sue for recognition. We have already sued the US once (won) and don't mind doing so again. My group tends to be troublemakers..heh

[mamabuzzybee]

YeeeHaw! Indian mommas! I'm SO happy to have found ya'll. Hmm. I'm momma to 18 month old Ma'iingan Elizabeth. I'm Anishinaabe from WI, and my partner is Ho-Chunk. I'm a SAHM during the summers, and a graduate student during the school year, though she's with her Jaji (dad in Ho-Chunk) and her Jaji CR (her other dad, her dad's brother) when I'm in class and working a few hours on campus. We're "natural" parents : --though I'd say in Indian way, we're just doing traditional raising--extended breastfeeding, cosleeping, babywearing, and not letting her cry it out "for her own good". Well, I just wanted to introduce myself and say I'm happy to have met this group. Take care all! Lea

[Little Bear's Mama]

Welcome,mamabuzzybee!!
My dh is Nebraska Ho-Chunk! Small world,eh?

[rrr]

fantastic to see native mother discussion. i was just at the international La Leche League conference in san francisco asking around about native breastfeeding support groups. especially la leche groups. found very little. LLL alaska has some.

do you all have any info or experience with breastfeeding education and support as a native issue?

i am Lower Columbia Chinook. the chinook lived on both sides of the columbia from the ocean at Astoria, Oregon (and on the washington side, of course) all the way to the Dalles, oregon. if you want to consult map. they continue to be concentrated in washington on the olympic peninsula not far from astoria, oregon.

any other natives from the pacific NW? a discussion about full blood or what percent is silly here, because we are so dispersed with no res. unrecognized. and yet-- the greeters of Lewis and Clark! Welcome to the Pacific! well...anyway, i know my ancestry and that is enough, if not plentiful.

who are you and what are your visions for native mothers? rrr

[Little Bear's Mama]

Welcome rrr!
It's great that you got to go to the conference. I couldn't go to SF,but I attended virtually via the chats.

Native breastfeeding support...I know of one group in WI that has a whole program. They even have breastfeeding videos specific to Native American culture. That might be one place to start. I'll see if I can find the info I have,it's around here....somewhere.
This is a topic I am very interested in. I would love to brain storm with you. I do not know of any Native specific LLL groups,but I know there are several groups in areas where there is a large NA population. If only more Native women would take the intiative and move the groups into their communities!

I have set up some information on breastfeeding and Native health at pow wows I have attended before. I have also considered sponsoring a nursing mothers booth or baby changing station at a pow wow to help get some information out there. Have you ever seen this and what would you think about it if you did?

Who are you and what are your visions for native mothers?

I am a SAHM to one ds(age 5)whom I am currently homeschooling,and wife to my dh of 6 years. I am a great supporter of breastfeeding and all of it's benefits. I am caregiver for my family,immediate and extended. I am a mother,wife,daughter,sister,aunt,friend,and confidant.
My vision for Native mothers is to regain the strength to do for our families what is right and good. That mothers would return to mothering through breastfeeding,following their mothering insticts, baby wearing and co-sleeping. That women would understand the problems that alcohol and drugs can cause and avoid them,and help her partner to avoid them as well. That women would help their families to return to a more natural diet,and realize that the commodity diet is one that is slowly but surely killing off the Native people(I have witnessed this myself),that women would help their children learn the language,lest it be lost. And that Native mothers would learn to love themselves like they should.

[rrr]

terrific. hope for more responses. send info and experiences.

if you can attend LLL area conference this next year and especially get to know LLL leaders in local chapter, i bet they would be interested in directing breastfeeding support toward natives.

they would be an excellent source of support and materials for setting up at powwow. why not invite leader to hold an LLL meeting at the pow wow?

giving info and demo to middle and high school kids reaches mothers b4 they are mothers. if you can set something up and invite LLL leader to present info. or a good LC.

how about organize a native nurse in and invite the press. we are getting new long house here, and that wd be good location for that. or just wherever people like to hang out. like the bowling alley. ? where do people hang out, anyway?

or write a story about how natives used to care for their babies. do you know anyone who can tell you? rrr

[Potty Diva]

Hi native Mamas!

I am not a native american, but I am mother to one, and wife to one.

My husband is Lumbee, and of course Kailey is part as well. Both hold cards for their tribe.

I am really interested in learning more about the Lumbee traditions, so we can incorporate them into our lives. We also plan on attending more ceremonies this year. DH's family like to say they are native when they can get something by it. I really want to live it!

I know a lot about the Lumbee history, and am fascinated by all the folklore and legend surrounding dh's ancestors(namely Henry Berry Lowry).

PS- I think getting native mamas to realize and take control of their environment, bodies, and history is a fabulous idea!

[Potty Diva]

Who are you and what are your visions for native mothers?

I have a vested interest in this, since I am raising a native child.

I am Teresa, NOW SAHM to Kailey who is 29 months old. We practice EBF, family bed(she occasionally wants to sleep in her own bed), we cloth diapered until she decided she wanted panties, use gentle discipline, and try to be an open loving fmaily.

My vision for native mamas? To feel strong enough to rise up against oppression and make a change in society(both nationally and locally). To be able to live their lives as they see fit without harrassment(either in a tradional or western setting). To not be judge by color, but by ability, but mostly I want my daughter to feel the power of her ancestors, to gain strength from their struggles, and to live proudly and happily.