Activist's concern

[Waya]

American Indian activist Dennis Banks said Wednesday in Fresno that tribes are unjustly stripping some Indians of their tribal membership because of politics or greed.

Banks, who was at Fresno City College on Wednesday to sign his autobiography and participate in a day of American Indian cultural events, said the Bureau of Indian Affairs needs to intervene to protect the rights of Indians who can prove their historic roots to tribes.

Banks, who co-founded the American Indian Movement in 1968, was a key attraction during the daylong cultural event at the Fresno campus. Students gathered to watch American Indian dances featuring the fancy footwork of the Pow Wow style of dance.

Dozens of Valley American Indians, who consider Banks an inspiration, said American Indians still find themselves fighting for rights, such as being recognized as members of a tribe.

Some rancherias, such as The Picayune Rancheria of the Chukchansi Indians, have been removing people from their membership rolls. To determine who belongs to the tribe, the Picayune Rancheria has used the 1988 constitution of the Picayune Reservation, which lists requirements for membership. Chukchansi Indian blood alone is not enough to qualify for membership.............





http://www.fresnobee.com/263/story/45442.html

[CountAllVotes]

1. it is true

Just like the eastern Cherokee. I called them to ask them if they want the information I have on my foster relations. They replied, "Everyone is saying they are Indian these days."

I just said, well, if you don't want the words and writings of our old people then I guess you do not deserve them. I want nothing from you. I want to give to you, not take.

Dennis Banks is right on the dot IMO.

[Chovexani]

2. This is happening all over

I have Creek ancestry and they are throwing out the black folks just like the Cherokees. My cousins in Oklahoma might lose their house...we're Freedmen and I don't know if our ancestors are on the Dawes Rolls.

It's disgusting. Some of these folks are more Indian than the Indians calling them out of their name and they are losing their rights because of the almighty dollar. Whatever happened to taking care of the family.

[CountAllVotes]

3. I heard about this

They are knocking the "Freedmen" off of the roles saying that the Cherokee never recognized persons of African descent to be Cherokee. This is an old rule and very outdated. I know of many Cherokee that are of African descent! However, I don't know how many are on the roles.

This issue has brought much controversy and I suspect more lawsuits will be forthcoming.

If the Freedmen made it on the Trail of Tears all the way to Oklahoma, they should all remain on the roles IMO.

You can check here to see if your family is on the Final Dawes roles:

http://www.accessgenealogy.com/native/finalroll.php?s_roll=29866

Mine do not appear on any roles as they were the "Old Settlers" aka the Keetoowah band of the Western Cherokee. They are apparently federally recognized, but I have no idea where they are based. I'd really like to find out more about my ancestors. I do know this much, my grandmother recently died (age 100 years) and my great great grandmother who was born in Arkansas in 1834 lived to be at least 86 years old. All of these people were the Old Settlers from North Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee and Arkansas.

I find it sickening really that all they think is that you want something from them. In the meantime, the words, letters and photographs I personally have in my possession will likely die with me sadly.

What the hell is wrong with these people? They are bringing themselves down in the long run by not recognizing their own people. The culprit once again is GREED.

I hope your relations are able to save their home and your life. Your situation makes me extremely sad. I wish you only the best. I hope you find them on the above link I posted.

May the Creator guide and assist you and your family during this awful time.

[CountAllVotes]

4. P.S.

>> Whatever happened to taking care of the family.

I feel the same way. I have no relations because they have died and/or I don't know who they are being they are not on any lists. So I am rather alone in this life.

It seems the plan worked didn't it? I guess they were figuring we'd all be gone by now but alas, there are still many of us left despite what people believe.

I know, I suppose that is all that really matters. However, as for family, yes, I'd really like to know who my family is.

FYI my mother was either purchased or stolen I've concluded. It is absolutely beyond disgusting. I wonder how the high and mighty of the tribe would feel if they did not know who they were because their parents had been sold or stolen not long after birth?

Do they even care? Seems not huh? :evilfrown: