Tuesday, August 18, 2009

What is my culture?

This was originally written with another blog entry.I kind of went off with this and it didnt really have anything to do with the original post, so I cut it out and am reposting it here.
Ok well here it is:

I am only 1/4 Native Mohawk.My family is very very small and no one ever discusses this.They know nothing of their own culture so I was not passed anything in regard to that.This does not change the fact that I have ALWAYS felt that a HUGE part of myself was lost and still missing.I feel a great connection to that aspect of myself but sadly I feel like it is out of reach to me.I am clueless when it comes to my family line and my native culture.My grandmother was born and grew up on a reservation not very far from my house.However she died when my mother was a very small child.And as a single parent ( my grandfather died of a heart attack) the children, all 9 of them, were sent to different orphanages and separated.So my mother knows VERY VERY little of that side of her family.She has never really felt the urge to try and find out I guess.However when I was a child my mother put me into something called "Indian Class" ( no kidding thats what our school called it) We had a very high population of native children at my school and so every friday for a hour we left regular class and went to a room by the cafeteria and elders from a local tribe would come in and teach us our culture.I LOVED my time with them and still remember a bit of what was taught.I still have a leather bag and a leather beaded book mark that I made in that class.I remember how to count to 19, for some reason I cant remember 20.I used to know how to sing "Old McDonald" but I have lost it along the way.I am registered in Washington DC as a native, my mother had to fill out the paperwork and she seems to have lost whatever paperwork she got back.If anyone out there knows how/who to contact in regards to this I would really appreciate any info at all.
Love & Light!

8 comments:

Hyla said...

Try looking for last names in public records

Crazy Squirrel Lady said...

She was born on the reservation so they would have the records, if they kept them that long ago.I have already tried looking at public records :( I did find a censes that she was included in but that was back in 1936.Theres not much other info I could find out there.I know her maiden name but its a very common name at that reservation so I wouldnt even know where to start.I may take a trip there sometime and see if I can find anything out.

Celestite said...

Contact the Bureau of Indian Affairs, one of the most convoluted and difficult government agencies ever created. But they do keep records, somewhere, and if you are persistent you should be able to find someone to help you.

Unknown said...

My grandmother was adopted, so I always felt like half of my family story was lost. Best of luck on your search! I am adding your button to my blog, grab mine too if you would like.

Crazy Squirrel Lady said...

Thanks Celestite,I went to the Bureau of Indian Affairs web site a couple years ago....I got kinda lost there and I had forgotten all about it till you just brought it up.I think I will take you advice and try giving them a call instead, maybe I can atleast get one step in the right direction :) Thanks!

Crazy Squirrel Lady said...

Its sad when I talk to people and they talk about where their family has come from, I cant even go back farther than my grandparents and even then I dont have much to go on.So I feel you Hippy Witch.
Im off to scoop your button up as well :D!!!

Magaly Guerrero said...

Lovely mix! I'm very much into culture and believe in spreading my as much as I can. It is really nice that you are trying to explore yours. As for your question, I would have to go with Celestine, try Bureau of Indian Affairs, but like she said they are a bit cautious with their history, but can we blame them?

Anonymous said...

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