[rugratref]

Hi all...I grew up in Oklahoma but moved away after I married.
I have been trying to talk my husband into moving back, but haven't really gotten anywhere with that. He works in the power industry.
He has said that IF I can prove his Indian heritage he'd be willing to move then...boy is that turning out to be a pain! Not all Indians listed themselves as Indian in the census.
So any advice on good power plant jobs and proving Indian heritage?

[basstelle]

Indian as in from India. Or native americans

[rugratref]

Please excuse me for not making myself clear...Indian as in Native American. My husband is not of the politically correct sec so I used the same terminology, as he would have.

[Synopsis]

There is a DNA test that you can take for about 3 or 4 hundred dollars that will prove/disprove your Native American heritage. I think it's even so accurate as to place you with the correct family. I'm curious as to why your husband would need to prove his heritage to move back. There are huge benefits to being a native american in Oklahoma, such as housing and so on, even jobs, so I'm guessing that may be his take on things..
Good luck..

[rugratref]

Hello Synopsis. Thank you for your reply. Your guess was accurate. His reasoning has been the benefits.

As for the DNA testing, I have come across websites in my search that mention this. Some claim it to be accurate, while others speak negative of DNA testing. I imagine the “proof” would be in the pudding, so to speak. Question is, are we willing to shell out that kind of money on a gamble. I was sincerely amazed while studying the census of Oklahoma Territory. I have found his family, but those that he knew for a fact were Indian/Native American claimed to be white. How sad that they felt they had to deny who there were.

I must tell you, I have lived in Texas, Mississippi, Florida, and currently South Carolina. Have traveled to many other states on vacation or otherwise. Oklahoma beats them all hands down when it comes to true southern hospitality. If you pass someone on a sidewalk they will smile and nod or even ask how you’re doing. I have had gentlemen open doors for me there, a lost art in my opinion. I’m never made to feel unwelcome or that I am a nuisance. Possibly, my opinion of Oklahoma is biased. I did grow up there. Of course I am not blind to the negative aspects. Slow growth, lack of decent employment, politics (not touching that one), certain small town areas that lack pride, appeal, adequate education funding and decent medical facilities…(many small U.S. towns deal with these issues), but over all Oklahoma is a wonderful state. My dream is to be able to retire in Oklahoma, close to a lake and decent medical. If I can search out hubby’s heritage, Oklahoma will be as appealing to him as it is to me…that’s my hope anyway.
God bless, and thanks again for your reply.

[sunshine85]

If your husband is Native American, his parents or some sort of close relative should have been required to be registered with the government. Did you check those recoreds? Also, some of the older generations like grandparents or great-grandparents would've been forced to attend a Native American school, so those records, if you can get hold of them, will be helpful. I went on a quest a few years ago and I ended up being able to prove my heritage through government records.

Good luck!

[rugratref]

Thank you sunshine 85, I hadn’t considered the Native American School records. Genealogical research is very time consuming! I have searched the Dawes Roll somewhat, but as I mentioned this is taking much more of my time than I initially thought. Nor is anything ever free! I’m a bit on the cheap side, not that I completely have to be, just years of Mama teaching me to be frugal I suppose. LOL! However I have come to realize I’m going to have to shell out some dough to accomplish this task, whether I like it or not.
The Cherokee Nation website (www.cherokee.org) offers the assistance of a genealogist, for a fee of course. More than likely, I’ll be giving them a call. Most genealogy websites require some sort of fee for look-ups so I imagine my money would be best spent on someone who knows exactly what they’re doing. If I rely on my novice abilities I may be throwing my money in the air.
Thanks for you reply.
God bless!

[California Kid]

I also grew up in Oklahoma (OKC) and moved to California right after marriage... We did move back to Oklahoma in 2005 for about a year and ended up moving back to California in 2006. I guess after living in California since 1989, it was really hard for me to adapt with all my activities. Yes, Oklahoma is a beautiful and peaceful place and maybe someday when my kids are grown, we may consider heading back. As for your husband, I would check out the utility companies website (OG&E or ONG) to see what the employment opportunites are. I will say that their has been a lot of building and growth in the area so one would think that utility services have to be expanding. If your husband has any traceable heritage to the primary tribes in Oklahoma, you could be eligible for many, many things. My sister's husband had Indian ties through the "Choctaw" nation which is one of the 5 civilized tribes settled in Oklahoma. And they receive a lot of services even with their income.... it appears that their tribe has to share the revenues of all business incomes which are going well with Casino operations throughout the state.

You should consider taking a 2 week vacation with your husband and touring the state. Check out the real estate and I think you'll both be very surprised in what you can buy (in comparison to California). But do spend sometime their to check things out before you decide to just up and go. It worked well for me due to employment and relocation opportunities, but it will be a life changing event that you should really consider before taking that step.

Good Luck

[klassylady25]

Does your husband just think he's of Native American descent or does he have a tribe that he knows of. Not all tribes have benefits... i.e. medical, schooling, etc... A tribal affiliation would help in the search.

FYI, the Capitol has all the old Indian records and census as they were brought into Indian Territory however, he would need to know a name of a relative. Most listing are under the Indian names not Whites names.

[gonefishing]

Originally Posted by rugratref

Hi all...I grew up in Oklahoma but moved away after I married.
I have been trying to talk my husband into moving back, but haven't really gotten anywhere with that. He works in the power industry.
He has said that IF I can prove his Indian heritage he'd be willing to move then...boy is that turning out to be a pain! Not all Indians listed themselves as Indian in the census.
So any advice on good power plant jobs and proving Indian heritage?

Do you think he is Native American on his mom or his dad's side? Is there a great-aunt or uncle on that side or a grandparent you might talk to. There may be some cousin who has already traced it and has that info. What do you know about the area his family is from....Do you have the ancestral names ?

You are so right about it being something of which they were made to be ashamed. I have seen some of the older ones who would deny it with their dying breath but it was soooo obvious.