A Few Questions for the Native American Culture?

Do you practice any Native American traditions at home or just for special events?

If yes, what kind of traditions?

Yes, all of the time, every day. In my family we still have our traditional language and customs. We still gather traditional foods and medicines. We also continue our ancestors' ceremonies.

Have you ever faced prejudice or stereotypes because of your culture?

On my reservation, no. Off of the reservation, yes. For instance, my family (mom, dad, me and my siblings) were once told to "go back to where we came from" Wha?! This is where we're from! In college I was treated as an oddity - "wow, I've never met a real indian before" As a teacher I was disregarded and was often told all about Indians from other educators who knew more about Native people than I did. LOL. I deal with crazy questions about alcoholism and poverty on reservations on a regular basis. For the record, I don't drink nor am I impoverished although I do live on a reservation.

Where do you see your culture in 50 years?

Still keepin' on keepin' on.

How would you like to advance your culture?

Keep keepin' on and keeping it safe from "culture vultures."

Is there still fighting amongst tribes? If so please specify.

Generally, no. There are some friendly animosities that exist here and there between certain tribes but overall, tribes support other tribes.

I am of "Native descent" and not raised on a rez so can't say I've ever experienced stereotypes but my husband, (Lakota/Choctaw) wears his hair long and braided and has been called "Chief" on more than one occasion by some ignorant ****. Not so much prejudice though because it has become so "cool" to be indian.

We mainly participate in ceremonies in the summer when visiting family.

In 50 years I see native tribes gaining strength along with education. They are learning to fight the good fight in the courts and through legislation and I hope to see the tide turn more in favor of native rights. The recent 3.4 billion dollar settlement between Elouise Cobell of the Blackfeet Nation and the Feds. is a good example of that. Despite being billions of dollars short of what has been estimated lost, what a step forward for indians to have been awarded not only the money, but the credibility.

The raids in Blanding Utah that resulted in well-respected (whites) being arrested for stealing and selling tribal artifacts is another example of a changing mind-set towards the rights of natives.

On the other hand, the atrocities that continue to be committed against tribes is horrifying and I would like to see it become fodder for the mainstream media. With all the focus on Hatie, is anyone even aware that the harsh winter conditions have created an national emergency for the Hopi and Navajo in our own country? Why are we not hearing about their needs?

fighting between tribes? Not so much, even the Lakota and Crow are friends now. :) Except when they play basketball. :) Within the tribe, there is still a lot of work that needs to happen to create accountable and honest tribal governments.

just my 2 cents.

- I am traditional and do practive my traditions. My parents are both pipe carriers and we spend the summer months at sundances, sweats are also a huge part of our lives, like church we sweat just about every Sunday, and during the week too when needed.

-Because I live on the rez, stereotypes and prejudice are NOT a daily inconvenience, I do however see once in awhile, but because Natives are so highly populated here its rare you run into it, white people are used to Natives and we all get along just fine.

-Because things change so much, I really can't say or even imagine what will happen to my culture, but I do know my kids will know it.

-I don't believe my culture needs advancement in any way. We are fine the way we are.

-There are no fighting amonst Tribes that I know of.

Hope This Helps.

-My fathers very into the culture, much more than me, but I still dance at the pow wows, intertribals and the ones that aren't open to everyone. I don't do much of the traditions, but growing up I did. I do still speak the language at home also.

-Stereotypes, racism, bigots, bias, you name it, its happened. Ever since I moved out of NC for school, its mostly just stereotyping, but its annoying, I constantly get asked stupid questions and assumptions and such.

-In 50 years I imagine out culture is going to flourish a bit more than today...with non natives. More and more I see native-wannabes and stuff and they're constantly trying to 'be more native'.

-My culture is advanced, don't assume because we practice certain old practices, that we are unadvanced. I'm using a computer aren't I?

-Umm among fighting with REAL tribes no, but as a Federally recognized, card carrying, tribally enrolled native, we are constantly at war with fake indians, stupid Cherokee tribes that pop up everywhere, remember there are only 3 federally recognized tribes for Cherokees, Cherokee nation of OK, Eastern band (mine), and Keetoowah band. I've heard all sorts of crazy ones the "Cherokees of Mexico" the "United Cherokees", and some even make fake CDIBs (fake enrollment cards).

I know a few answers.

My family does not observe the customs as we are a result of my Native American Great Grandfather abandoning his family...

I see the culture going further and further down hill in the next 50 years. The settlers did a very good job wiping out the culture... I bet they don't teach you that in the text books... like how settlers gave blankets from the small pox infirmaries to the native Americans as peace offerings... They didn't just catch small pox... it was deliberate bio-war fare.

Advance the culture? Not really sure if that is possible at this point.