Real Indians??? (San Antonio, Waco, Mission: appointed, live, trendy)

[mission-sundancer]

Ever notice that the so-called native american leaders of San Antonio dress in outfits from tribes that were not even around here, or from here...and yet they pass themselves off as "OFFICIAL" spokespeople for all Indian people. Back in the day these same people were Chicanos or Tejanos, and they made fun of Indians. Check the old newspaper clippings and see if you can find any of these real Indians prior to 1994. All of their Indian ancestry is based on $$$$$. They give the real Indians a bad name.

[20yrsinBranson]

Originally Posted by mission-sundancer

Ever notice that the so-called native american leaders of San Antonio dress in outfits from tribes that were not even around here, or from here...and yet they pass themselves off as "OFFICIAL" spokespeople for all Indian people. Back in the day these same people were Chicanos or Tejanos, and they made fun of Indians. Check the old newspaper clippings and see if you can find any of these real Indians prior to 1994. All of their Indian ancestry is based on $$$$$. They give the real Indians a bad name.

It's interesting the cultural differences that exist. Where I live, it is not "cool" to be Native American and even people who very obviously ARE will deny it for fear of prejudice. In fact, come to think of it, when I lived in Colorado, it was *not* cool to be Native American at all because people there looked down on them so much.

The guys you are referring to may have enough NA blood to qualify (1/16th I believe, to be eligible to be a tribal member). Maybe they just never mentioned it before, who knows.

I would think that if they are helping the native people then it is a good thing whatever they are doing. It's kind of sad though, if they are NOT Native and they are denouncing their own racial heritage in order to appear cool or trendy.

20yrsinBranson

[RGJ]

Texas has had many Indian tribes. Apache, Comanche, Coahuiltecans, Cherokee, Coushatta, Kickapoo, Karankawa, Kiowa, Tonkawa, Waco, and Wichita to name a few......I'm guessing you're complaining about current day Indians not being a part of any of these tribes...

[mission-sundancer]

Not complaining RGJ, just stating fact. There were thousands of tribes or bands that were indigenous to Tejas (Texas). Many other tribes migrated here, and some tribes were forced to re-locate here. I'm talking of phonies. Example: Director of American Indians of Texas at the Spanish Colonial Missions, was born in Michigan, and has no blood ties to any Mission Indian. And yet he speaks of this Indian upbringing in San Antonio that is one big crock of buffalo phooey.

[Dopo]

Originally Posted by mission-sundancer

Not complaining RGJ, just stating fact. There were thousands of tribes or bands that were indigenous to Tejas (Texas). Many other tribes migrated here, and some tribes were forced to re-locate here. I'm talking of phonies. Example: Director of American Indians of Texas at the Spanish Colonial Missions, was born in Michigan, and has no blood ties to any Mission Indian. And yet he speaks of this Indian upbringing in San Antonio that is one big crock of buffalo phooey.

I don't know much about Native Americans in Texas
but what you are saying doesn't surprise after looking at a map of the US and seeing that Texas, as big as it is, has only 3 Native American reservations, and all of them are almost outside of Texas.

I think I read somewhere that the one in Eagle Pass, they were in Mexico and were allowed to come back and establish their reservation.

Map

[wCat]

Originally Posted by mission-sundancer

Not complaining RGJ, just stating fact. There were thousands of tribes or bands that were indigenous to Tejas (Texas). Many other tribes migrated here, and some tribes were forced to re-locate here. I'm talking of phonies. Example: Director of American Indians of Texas at the Spanish Colonial Missions, was born in Michigan, and has no blood ties to any Mission Indian. And yet he speaks of this Indian upbringing in San Antonio that is one big crock of buffalo phooey.

I'm in the dark about what you are referring to. Do you have a link to a story?
Are you Native American? This person you are talking about....are you saying he did not grow up in San Antonio? Is he Native American at all? or just not connected to any of the tribes that were indigenous to South Texas?

[mission-sundancer]

Although San Antonio has a large indigenous population, a small group of people have taken it upon themselves to say they speak, and represent "ALL" indigenous people in San Antonio. My 6th great grandfather was born in 1741 at Mission San Jose to Indian parents. We have carried that identity and culture for 268 years!! What the Spanish did to the Indian was like what Hitler did to the Jewish people. Then the Spanish padres tried to beat our identities out of us, followed by the Texas Rangers, and White Settlers, etc. Now we have a group of so-called Indians that want to enforce their will on the entire Indian community. This group stops at nothing to get what it wants. Exposing them is long overdue. Being Indian is more than putting on feathers.

[wCat]

Who are these people? I'm still lost. If they are public figures I think it's alright with TOS to mention who they are, but I'll defer to the mods for that decision.

I'm just trying to understand what is going on. You have a rich heritage to be proud of, but I'm not sure what the goal of the group is that you're referring?

[Bo]

Originally Posted by wCat

Who are these people? I'm still lost. If they are public figures I think it's alright with TOS to mention who they are, but I'll defer to the mods for that decision.

I'm just trying to understand what is going on. You have a rich heritage to be proud of, but I'm not sure what the goal of the group is that you're referring?

I'm sure it would be a more interesting read if names were named, since no one but the OP seems to know who the leaders of the local Indian community are. Unless there's a news article or an organization's web site with facts to refer to and discuss, it's preferable to keep it vague about who is involved, to avoid crossing into libel territory.

[mission-sundancer]

Originally Posted by Bowie

I'm sure it would be a more interesting read if names were named, since no one but the OP seems to know who the leaders of the local Indian community are. Unless there's a news article or an organization's web site with facts to refer to and discuss, it's preferable to keep it vague about who is involved, to avoid crossing into libel territory.

I fear neither libel nor slander!! Both need to be proven in a court of law. I am a witness to the truth. The group in question is the American Indians in Texas at the Spanish Colonial Missions Inc. The group was founded by a San Antonio police officer, Ramon Hernandez, who was retired around the time of an incident involving several SAPD officers dealing narcotics in the mid 80's. Another founder, Richard Garay, was imprisoned for indecency with a child. Another founder Ramon Vasquez y Sanchez, runs the Centro Cultural Aztlan, and his son Ramon Vazquez Jr., has been director of AITSCM for years. This is a non-profit organization that has given no other person a chance to be appointed as director. It's a shame that people can put on feathers and approach city council and the like with a fantastic story and get funding to run a business. Oh, I forgot they got seasoned grant writers in their midst. And they even call themselves Chiefs!!! We were not American Indians.....we were Mexica Indians!!!!!! Get your history straight. This was all Mexica land way back then. You can't change who your ancestors were. That's why these guys call themselves American Indians....they're making up what they know nothing about!! There is a hidden story that involves the Church, The National Parks, Texas A&M, UTSA. It was a big cover-up. A lie! The reburial that happened at San Juan. But, lies don't last forever!! Hoka Hey!!