As Requirements Change, Just Who Is An Indian?
By Brian Bull
"I know of people that have asked for proof," Malone says. "If you don't have proof, then you're not an Indian. In the native culture, some people treat them as substandard individuals. As wannabes."
Malone says there's talk among the Potawatomi of lowering the requirement to one-eighth. That—in a stroke of a pen—could double the tribe's membership, but there's a lot at stake here. Enrolled members enjoy tribal benefits, including health care and education, and there are science and art programs, too.
In some communities, last children with historic rights will be born as early as 2012
By Nicholas Keung
Statistics that show the self-identified aboriginal population is growing fast--a 45 per cent jump over 10 years to 1.2 million--can be deceiving, said Beaver. Under Canadian law, those who "count" are "status Indians"--a group strictly defined by the Indian Act.
Many First Nations communities will die out within a few generations, in terms of registered Indians. That's because the "two-generation cut-off" created when the Indian Act was revised in 1985 stipulates only children born of two Indian status parents inherit status. Because of intermarriage, some communities will see their last status Indian born as soon as 2012.
Rob shouldn't judge Natives?
Determining Indians = waste of time?
Rob doesn't understand "mutts"?
"Actual Indian" defined
The genetics of being Indian
Educating Russ about who's an Indian
Are you a reeeeeeal "part" Injun?
2 comments:
I'm at the cut off point for my tribe.
Well, actually most people my age are at the cut off point.
It's sad to think that because of these standards my children, if I do not have children with a native, will not get the same benefits and/or will not even be considered part of my tribe.
Tough shit.
I myself am a halfbreed (no, not some metis descended from a halfbreed. A real one) and if I don't have kids with another status Indian, my kids won't have status. Tough. They won't be Native anyways.
What's the solution?
Stop having kids with non-natives. Preserve our genetic ID.
Of course, this is probably hard to do, as few Natives prosper on the rez and usually immigrate to the cities, where the inevitable assimilation occurs.
Almost makes me want to go and make friends with some Indian-struck Europeans with big money, and convince them to help fund a Native-sperm and egg bank, as scary as the eugenic theme gets there.
Post a Comment