[karibear]

Originally Posted by HeatherDawn

I'm going to drop this after this post because I'm not going to make any friends being un-politically correct...

You can fake being polite and respectful if you want but if your aim is to get on the roll or get a CDIB card or whatever, it's because you want your "benefits". Period. I'm not attacking wanting your benefits. I'm attacking wanting your benefits while pretending not to.

Okay, I'll make one last comment, too. The paired concepts of "Native Americans" and "benefits" are very new. I, for instance, am German, Irish, French, and Apache. My father's driver's license had 'Apache' in the tace block, and yes, they did have a line for 'race' back then. The rest of his family preferred not to stress that part of their heritage. I have never been able to find out anything about my Apache heritage, mostly I suppose because I wasn't ever able to go in person to the appropriate places to ask. I never had any problems finding out about the rest of my heritage - the German, Irish, and French immigrants. I never wanted any benefits, many of the people like me don't, we just want information and some kind of acknowledgment. I have come to the conclusion after all these years that I will never know - I know some of the stories of my family and that's all - and I'll have to live with that.

Most of the rest of what's been mentioned or discussed here has also been greatly expanded on in a thread about Native Americans, it's probably 4 or 5 pages back now. As far as wanting benefits while pretending not to, pretending interest, etc, that is a self-destructive con game. With the exception of Alaska, all benefits are tied to residence in the relevant tribal lands or reservations. You also have to remember that a lot of NAs who are very much eligible for their tribal benefits don't get them because they live in cities - Seattle, LA, and Chicago come to mind. Anyone who tries to get tribal benefits for any reason will also have to live within the tribe's boundaries, and if they are simply trying to keep up a front of polite respect and interest to do so, it will show eventually and they will find it very uncomfortable to live among people who will eventually neither like nor respect them.

[HeatherDawn]

LOL I just realized that I wrote "un-politcally correct" instead of "politically incorrect". What a dork!

[_redbird_]

Originally Posted by HeatherDawn

Yeah, but nobody gets their name on the roll because they see the beauty in the culture. Hell, a white girl can do that.

That's your opinion and you cannot speak for everyone. There are too many good people seeking their roots who are not out to get "freebies", IMHO.

I didn't think you were being politically correct or incorrect, I thought you were just asking good questions. There is nothing wrong with that. I agree with what Kari wrote. There are still very closely knit Indian communities across this place now known as America.

And there are bands who settled in Mexico that the Anglo's would view as illegals, example, a band of the Kickapoos settled south of the border during the Indian wars. I believe there are some Pueblo communities around the Mesas of New Mexico where no white people are allowed unless you have family there. And I heard one of the islands off Hawaii has the same restrictions. Most of the people in my tribe grew up together and are related or married to relations. So the first thing I get asked is not my name, but who my parents are by the Elders. I really don't think it is a new phenomena to have anglos seeking out their ancestry. And many find hidden rewards in the process and many find a brick wall.

Back in the early 90's the whole tracing of one's roots was really popular. But for our tribe, the first time on the reservation was around 1875 and the first census was taken in 1890s. And many names were not interpreted into English language yet.

[Mattie Jo]

How can you find rolls of different nations?

[Bass&Catfish2008]

Originally Posted by redbird4848

You are now entitled to go to the Choctaw casino and gamble!!!!

The proceeds might help some of the Choctaw tribal programs. Not to be rude or anything,.. and I am not saying you are like this, but there is nothing worse than a wanna-be who suddenly finds out they are part Indian and now wants to know what they are entitled to...

If you really are interested in your Choctaw culture, there are many places to go on the internet which will help you connect to the beautiful culture of the Choctaw people.

Personally, I know a lot of Choctaws, and I have GREAT respect for them.

Please be respectful and sensitive and you will go a lot further in your quest.

Excellent suggestions Redbird. As a Choctaw/Creek, I'm in total agreement.

[Synopsis]

Originally Posted by Mattie Jo

How can you find rolls of different nations?

I'm sure redbird or someone can help you. But you might start at the link below.

Native Americans - Genealogy - American Indian Records

[_redbird_]

Originally Posted by Mattie Jo

How can you find rolls of different nations?

You can begin by calling the Tribal Headquarters. Like Karibear said, each tribe is different, for example, I worked with the Apache and there are 9 different bands. Another example is the Pottawatomie. They have five different bands, and some are in OK, KS, and the Great Lakes region.

And at one time there was the Kiowa-Apache tribe, which was neither Kiowa, nor Apache. But I think they are known as The Apache Tribe of Oklahoma. I don't know. Just google the tribal entity you are seeking information from and call them.

Just start with a simple search and be prepared to hit the Links and make some long distance phone calls. I found a lot of info at the Lawton Public Library which had census data on microfiche. Remember those old clunky machines. Also Haskell has a Gov collection which has a lot of info. A good librarian can help you on your quest. Good luck.

It has been 20 years since I have done any native geneology. The internet used to be chock full of people researching Native American roots. And there were listervs all over the place. I don't know what's out there nowadays.


http://skyways.lib.ks.us/genweb/nativeam/

[jetmechsgirl]

Originally Posted by verynicebecky

I am 43 and grew up being told that my mother's ancestry is Cherokee but no one could find any family on the Cherokee rolls. Low and behold today I discovered my great grandparents and some of their children are listed on the Choctaw rolls...Am I entitled to any benefits? What do I do next, if anything?

I read your post and first let me say what the others have said to you. Your benefits is finding out what your people went through their lives, how they lived, what were their beliefs, and what and who they loved. Cultural benefits are a lot more valuable than monetary benefits. I am Puertorriquen and my family's heritage is part Spaniard, part Indian (Taino) and part Black. It was sad to find out that the Indians in Puerto Rico suffered at the hands of the Spaniards. Some of them fell in love and married but others opposed the Spaniards taking over their lands. Some fell in love with the black slaves that the Spaniards had brought with them to the island and that is why we are so diverse in color, hair textures, and eye color. The Spaniards brought a lot of good but also suffering because no one likes strangers coming to their land and claiming it their own.

Look into the history of your people and see what the Choctaws stood for and what they contributed to our lands. I for one always have admired all Indians because they had great respect for the land and animals. We as Americans abused the lands by developing every inch of it and abused the animals by driving them away from the lands and into almost extinction. To me history of your people will be your greates benefit. Other benefits to me is like living off the blood of your people because some fought to keep their land and their free lives.

Good luck in your search and I hope you will find the benefits you are looking for.

[LadyRobyn]

Originally Posted by jetmechsgirl

I read your post and first let me say what the others have said to you. Your benefits is finding out what your people went through their lives, how they lived, what were their beliefs, and what and who they loved. Cultural benefits are a lot more valuable than monetary benefits. I am Puertorriquen and my family's heritage is part Spaniard, part Indian (Taino) and part Black. It was sad to find out that the Indians in Puerto Rico suffered at the hands of the Spaniards. Some of them fell in love and married but others opposed the Spaniards taking over their lands. Some fell in love with the black slaves that the Spaniards had brought with them to the island and that is why we are so diverse in color, hair textures, and eye color. The Spaniards brought a lot of good but also suffering because no one likes strangers coming to their land and claiming it their own.

Look into the history of your people and see what the Choctaws stood for and what they contributed to our lands. I for one always have admired all Indians because they had great respect for the land and animals. We as Americans abused the lands by developing every inch of it and abused the animals by driving them away from the lands and into almost extinction. To me history of your people will be your greates benefit. Other benefits to me is like living off the blood of your people because some fought to keep their land and their free lives.

Good luck in your search and I hope you will find the benefits you are looking for.

Hi jetmechsgirl! Welcome to the forum. Your post caught my eye because my Hubby also has a Puerto Rican heritage. (as well as his NA ancestors)

If you haven't already done so you should do a search for "puerto ricans in hawaii"... Many of the Native Puerto Rican families wound up there after the hurricanes in 1899. That is where my Hubby's Great Grandmother grew up. The story of their journey is very interesting!

[verynicebecky]

Originally Posted by jetmechsgirl

Good luck in your search and I hope you will find the benefits you are looking for.

I have benefited greatly from discovering that my ancestors were Choctaw. It was such a thrill to be able to tell my 72 yr old mom and her two older sisters and one younger brother that they come from this special group of people. I am still working on learning more about my family members and when my mission here in Nevada is completed, I will be traveling to Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Mississippi and Virginia in hopes to find the answers to the many questions I have concerning my family. Thank you for the luck you offer me