Blood Quantum Does Not Determine Identity
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Author:
n/a -
Send To:
Bureau of Indian Affairs
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Sponsored By:
Native Americans and all people -
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Native America does not believe that the BIA or any other government organization has the right to determine who is or is not Native American by degree of blood. There is no other group in America that is ever asked who they are by how much blood.
This archaic process began in 1705 in Virginia as a way of denying civil rights to blacks and Indians who at that time were assumed to be inferior races. Many states instituted these laws as a way of deciding who had equal rights to whites and encouraged people of color to relinquish their identities so as to be able to enjoy the rights freely given to others. In this way, it was assumed that Native people would eventually become extinct through assimilation and intermarriage. But this did not, and will not, happen. Native people, even through intermarriage and assimilation will not disappear. Even through intermarriage and assimilation, Native people still hold tightly to their culture and their lineage and must be honored and recognized by their own determination alone, not by degree of blood.
The idea that any government can identify who is Native and who is not by blood quantum is an out dated and unnecessary ideology that is held today because of the governments unwillingness to provide services to people with certain degrees of blood. It is time to do away entirely with this process. Blood quantum does not determine who and what Indians are. Only Native societies and /or communities have the sovereign right to determine who is and who isn't a part of their nation, tribe, clan, or community. Because it has always been an Indian value to be inclusive, high numbers of black Indians, Hispanics and Anglos have been accepted through various means into many Indian communities, in addition to those who are Indian, with mixed ancestry. Every indigenous nation had and has a process for accepting, or adopting outsiders into the fold. From mixed blood Indians through intermarriage, to like-minded people of other races, indigenous communities and nations must determine "who is Indian".
It is no mystery that America has financial obligations to its Indian nations and "certified" Indian people, but these are doled out
intermittently and begrudgingly. Simply put, the fewer indigenous citizens, the less money will be paid out. And the more difficult it is to be legally certified "Indian", the less Indians there will be. Not only is this racist economics in action but it is also blood quantum genocide. By allowing America to determine who is Indian, simply because the government doesnt want to be held accountable, to their word, by meeting their obligations, we allow the US government to legislate Indians out of existence. No other group including African Americans, Asians, Latinos need a card to prove who they are.
With this petition, we are declaring that the only recognition necessary is that of community acceptance and involvement. This is the right of our sovereignty and self determination. As with all other people in all other social programs in this country, the people that should be the recipients of Indian government programs should be determined solely by need, not by blood quantum and not by association with reservations.
Submitted by:
Christine Rose/STAR
www.egroups.com/group/STAR-STAR
Lawrence Sampson/SETAim
www.setaim.com
This archaic process began in 1705 in Virginia as a way of denying civil rights to blacks and Indians who at that time were assumed to be inferior races. Many states instituted these laws as a way of deciding who had equal rights to whites and encouraged people of color to relinquish their identities so as to be able to enjoy the rights freely given to others. In this way, it was assumed that Native people would eventually become extinct through assimilation and intermarriage. But this did not, and will not, happen. Native people, even through intermarriage and assimilation will not disappear. Even through intermarriage and assimilation, Native people still hold tightly to their culture and their lineage and must be honored and recognized by their own determination alone, not by degree of blood.
The idea that any government can identify who is Native and who is not by blood quantum is an out dated and unnecessary ideology that is held today because of the governments unwillingness to provide services to people with certain degrees of blood. It is time to do away entirely with this process. Blood quantum does not determine who and what Indians are. Only Native societies and /or communities have the sovereign right to determine who is and who isn't a part of their nation, tribe, clan, or community. Because it has always been an Indian value to be inclusive, high numbers of black Indians, Hispanics and Anglos have been accepted through various means into many Indian communities, in addition to those who are Indian, with mixed ancestry. Every indigenous nation had and has a process for accepting, or adopting outsiders into the fold. From mixed blood Indians through intermarriage, to like-minded people of other races, indigenous communities and nations must determine "who is Indian".
It is no mystery that America has financial obligations to its Indian nations and "certified" Indian people, but these are doled out
intermittently and begrudgingly. Simply put, the fewer indigenous citizens, the less money will be paid out. And the more difficult it is to be legally certified "Indian", the less Indians there will be. Not only is this racist economics in action but it is also blood quantum genocide. By allowing America to determine who is Indian, simply because the government doesnt want to be held accountable, to their word, by meeting their obligations, we allow the US government to legislate Indians out of existence. No other group including African Americans, Asians, Latinos need a card to prove who they are.
With this petition, we are declaring that the only recognition necessary is that of community acceptance and involvement. This is the right of our sovereignty and self determination. As with all other people in all other social programs in this country, the people that should be the recipients of Indian government programs should be determined solely by need, not by blood quantum and not by association with reservations.
Submitted by:
Christine Rose/STAR
www.egroups.com/group/STAR-STAR
Lawrence Sampson/SETAim
www.setaim.com
6029 Signatures
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Loretta G H
- Comments
- Having discovered my actual genealogical connections with the various eastern US, primarily in Virginia, with a paper trail as well as learning of the racial paper genocide that was standard, through the days of Pleckar, and the Virginia so called "Racial Integrity Act of 1924", I feel very strongly about this... My parents actually have done DNA testing which have proven, both have a degree of Native American blood, so I do too. I always knew I did, because I have felt it deep in my spirit. I honor my Native American brothers and sisters, with all of my being. Let me honor my ancestors, that felt they had to go in hiding, to exist in the white man's world, as well.
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Yvonne K
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Lavina(Sunnyone)Littlejohn
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Art M
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Vicki L. Q
- Comments
- Comanche
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Vicki L. S
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Vera B
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Thomas D. M
- Comments
- No Comment
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peggy jane a
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Steven LoneWolf W
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- No one has the right to say who any person is, of any race
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linda (
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- black ,hispanics,and other ethnic group do not deny others who identify with them, american indians are the only group of people that take that risk of down playing their own posibilities of gaining voices in the first people communities. we ndns have got to stop this dumb NOW! if they got proof, then allow them to be members, and stop this nonsense. you are gaining strength by building your nation. intermarrying been going for a long time and the result of it,is people get married and live other lives,do not forget being indian at one time was embarrasing and was once a stigma, like being too black or hispanic,now these cultures are embraced by their own. the lineal families are no different are no different they just want to come home to their people. the cherokee nation are getting stronger as the other tribes in this country are getting weaker because of blood quantum STOP IT NOW BEFORE WE are EXTINCT!!!!
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Christiane C
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Don W
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- I agree....since when is a "pedigree" more important than the heart?
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Philip F
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- I am white and my wife has native blood in her vaines. I think it is about time our fed. gov. let the native americans run there own lives .Our gov. puts its nose where it is not wanted all the time. It is time to stop.
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Erlys J. M
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Cynthia P
- Comments
- I believe I am an unrecognized Indian
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Joe C
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- This is discrimination.
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Walter E. H
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linda l d
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Vicki L
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La Jonn O. K
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- the govt. has enough to screw up. theyshould leave us alone.
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Lorri J
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Paula P
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Elizabeth T
- Comments
- I am fighting a blood quantum issue myself, and feel angry and sad that my people's identity are numbers and I do not get acknowledged by my indian people, or the white people.
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Michelle G
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Patti
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Neal R
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Phillip R
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Debbie L
- Comments
- The Land of the FREE USA
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james m nordlund r
- Comments
- viva la evolution, viva green party!
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EDYTHE HARDMAN W
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Wahya'dahlonega T
- Comments
- It is absurd that we base our lineage on the very genicide that brought such destruction to our ancestors, the indigenous peoples of this country. It would be the same as asking African American or Jews, for example, their quantums or they haven't the right to claim their heritage. It is ludicrous and unjust!
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Wilhelmina J
- Comments
- This is a disgrace to our nationality
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Rebecca St. G
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William (Burntfinger) L
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JAMES F K
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Sherry V
- Comments
- Enrolled White Earth Band Member
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Willis Ronald Linn S
- Comments
- We are not non-american We chose- Isn't that truly American?
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Stephanie M
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- I have enough blood quantum to be certified, however, since my great great grandfather and great grandfather refused to be recognized the the Cherokee Tribal Nation it has made it hard for me. As a child I have been taught our history and some of the language. I was born Native American Indian and I will die Native American Indian despite any recognition. However, I my journey is not over.
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Audrey R
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SnowfFlower
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- Keep up the good work
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Karen W
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- Actually if you are going to be exempt from paying American taxes, you should have to physically prove who you are. We're trying to end the unfair tax exemptions, by the way.
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Debra Marie S
- Comments
- Enrolled Tribal member of VA State recognized Patawomeck Indians.
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Christina M. O
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Mark H. S
- Comments
- What can I say that hasn't already been said? Our native peoples will stand together as one tribe for who we are. We do not need your approval to be who and what we are.
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Lynn P
- Comments
- I hope this petition is still ongoing. It is very worthy, as I appreciate and cherish the NA blood in my veins, and I hate having to always qualify that to people, because of my blonde hair and blue eyes.
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Jamie K. O
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Timothy S
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Christine
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Jan Pair (Spirit W
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- I know that I have Native heritage---I cannot find the info I need to prove this because of the band on Natives of their rights. The time frame that they were prevented of having rights--the records were lost or burned or destroyed. My grandfather told me of my heritage and mygreat-great-grandmother may have been in the trail of tears--but because no records were made at that time--we do not have the info---all info on family stopped--this is a great petition and I wish to get it passed.
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6029
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