Blood Quantum - Why It Matters, and Why It Shouldn't

[Waya]

"You're an Indian? What part?"

That's the universal question many mixed-blood Native Americans are asked every day. How many times have you mentioned in passing that you are Cherokee to find your conversation interrupted by intrusive questions about percentage? How many times have you answered those questions? Well stop! That's right -- stop answering rude questions.

Have you ever been talking to someone who mentioned that they were part Hispanic, part African-American, part Jewish, part Italian, part Irish, part Korean, etc.? Have you ever asked them what percentage? Hopefully your answer is no, because if your answer is yes then you're rude. It would be rude to ask someone how Hispanic they are, but we accept that people can ask us how Cherokee we are. This is a double standard brought about by our collective history as Native Americans, and is one we should no longer tolerate.

The history of blood quantum begins with the Indian rolls and is a concept introduced to Native Americans from white culture. Throughout Native history blood has never really been a factor in determining who was or was not included in a tribe. Many Native American tribes practiced adoption, a process whereby non-tribal members would be adopted into the tribe and over time become fully functioning members of the group. Adoption was occasionally preceded by capture. Many tribes would capture members of neighboring tribes, white settlers, or members of enemy tribes. These captives would replace members of the tribe who had died. They would often be bestowed with some of the same prestige and duties of the person they were replacing. While the transformation from captive to tribal member was often a long and difficult one, the captive would eventually become an accepted member of the tribe. The fact that the adoptee was sometimes of a different ethnic origin was of little importance to the tribe.

It wasn't until the federal government became involved in Indian government that quantum became an issue. One of the attributes collected on a person signing one of the many Indian rolls was their quantum. However, this was highly subjective as it was simply a question that the roll takers would allow the people to answer for themselves. I know for a fact that this was known to be incorrect because my own ancestors' quantum is recorded incorrectly. My great grandmother and her sister are listed with generationally different quanta even though they were sisters with the same mother and father and have the exact same quantum.

In this day and age, however, quantum is important in many ways. In order to become a registered member of any federally recognized Indian Nation you must first get a CDIB (Certificate of Degree of Indian Blood). This CDIB is issued by the BIA and simply states that the United States government certifies that you have a specified degree of Indian blood and are a member of a given federally recognized tribe. Once you have a CDIB you can become a recognized member of that tribe. Without a quantum you cannot become a registered member of a tribe.

In addition, many Indian tribes include their own quantum restrictions. The Eastern Band of the Cherokees requires that you be 1/16 or higher to join, and the Keetowah band requires a blood quantum of 1/4 or higher. The Cherokee Nation, on the other hand, has no quantum restrictions. The majority of the Cherokee Nation has 1/4 or less Indian blood. When considering these numbers it is important to remember that the Cherokee were in direct contact with white settlers prior to the American Revolution. Many prominent Cherokee families included intermarried whites very early on. The Ward family -- descendents of Nancy and Bryant Ward (an Englishman) -- is a good example. My own ancestor, Granny Hopper (daughter of Old Hop), married a Scottish trader (McDaniel). The Cherokee people have been intermarrying with whites for over two hundred years, so many families have some very confusing fractions to spit out every time someone asks, "How much Indian are you?"

Many Indian people today would like to see the emphasis on blood quantum fall by the wayside. Blood quantum is a sterile, inhuman way of calculating authenticity. When you ask a person how much Indian blood they have, you expect an answer. If they answer your question with a small percentage or if they refuse to answer, you immediately question their authenticity as an Indian. Never mind -- that blood quantum is completely irrelevant to Cherokee culture. Throughout history the Cherokee people have believed that if you're Cherokee, you're Cherokee. If you're not, you're not. Percentage doesn't matter. In addition, many people now make a distinction between quantum Cherokees and cultural Cherokees. How Cherokee you are is more determined by how you live, how active you are in the tribe, how you grew up, and what you know of Cherokee history, culture, and language.

Blood quantum, while it appears harmless, has had a very negative effect on many Indian Nations. In many cases the issue of quantum has divided full-bloods and mixed-bloods, causing resentment. The issue also divides tribal members and non-members on the issue of proof. From a historical and cultural perspective, the idea of blood quantum is dangerous....

http://www.allthingscherokee.com/atc_sub_gene_feat_040101.html

[Lowell]

1. Blood Quantum serves a purpose

Although I think it sometimes smacks of NAZI Germany and racial purity, in our case I don't think it is entirely a bad thing. Since the gaming laws have been loosened more and more "cousins" are coming out of the woodwork wanting a piece of the action. Blood quantum keeps the greedy in check and helps better the tribes.

I agree that whenever people hear you are "part" Indian they ask dumb questions like how much or what part. If you look Indian the questions are asked less than if you are a Chuck Norris look alike. I usually tell them my heart and head are Indian, but then the question is rarely asked me. I'm no cotton tail.

Each of us knows who we are and where we came from. Unless we live the life and participate in tribal politics blood quantum is not important. A simple look in the mirror is enough to remind most of us what we are. Every few years I visit my relatives in the "old country", Oklahoma. It is great to be with them and there is no question about heritage. Then I leave and go back to my job and concentrate on the important things, family, friends and survival.

[cleofus1]

2. blood quantum is a necessary evil

other wise you would have hordes of white people claiming to be descended from cherokee princes tilting the political landscape to anti native positions in tribal councils across the continent...it would be the end of the world as we know it...

[CountAllVotes]

3. well I am many races, one being Cherokee

I've spent my entire life trying to figure out who I am, a horrific struggle. I finally found out very recently. The rest of my "family" is indeed Cherokee and they are now old and rather ashamed of it (less now as was the case in the past; they said they were "white"). It is very sad. So they say and did say they were white in order to "assimilate". And so they did.

And here I am like it or not and yes, I am Cherokee and I am proud to be. I am looking for nothing. Absolutely nothing except for one thing, IDENTITY and recognition of WHO I happen to really be.

The gov't did a real good job. Exterminate, relocate, and alas assimilate. And now the same people condemn Indian tribes for having casinos via the enforced policy of "self-determination". And so that "self-determination" has paid off. My hats are off to them. It is but a very small payment for all that has been forever lost and stolen from the Native people of America.

Alas, yes I am Cherokee. How much I do not know. My suspicion is that I am perhaps 1/8th blood Cherokee or more. So call me a "Cherokee Princess" or whatever. The fact is I am Cherokee and they were from Tennessee and they are still there in the same place(s) some 200+ years later. :)

I don't have "papers" sorry. The real Cherokee are also the ones that hid in the caves of Tennessee and avoided the Trail of Tears and they appear NOWHERE and you better believe that is on purpose.

:dem:

[cleofus1]

4. sorry but it is kind of a running joke among natives

you know a group of skins tilting it at the rockin TP and everyone gives their tribal affiliation...and then when you get to the white dude he says...my great great grandmother was a cherokee princess...and then evryone rolls theier eyes and throws their hands in the air...if i had a quarter for everytime that happened i could retire in silver city...don't get me wrong i've known a lot of light skinned natives...but they live the life...walked the path...you know...fry bread in the morning...hang out with other natives...go to the native hospital more than your mother goes to bingo...have close friends and relatives in the villages...and you know...that no one runs around playing the tortured indian...it's not cool...and if you see some one who is...then slap them hard and remind them what it means to be a brave...

[knowbody0]

5. i love reading your posts cleofus1

you make me smile

[CountAllVotes]

6. yes I do know the types

We have plenty of them around here (non-Indians or perhaps some with Indian blood, I really don't know the details). I don't hang out with any of the Indian people here as it is a completely different set of people and they don't really have a whole lot in common with the Cherokee from Tennessee other than the fact that they are Indian and they share the same genocidal history.

We have plenty here who spend their days making "Indian" jewelry and dream makers, etc. and they have no Indian blood at all. I just stay away from these people. They are fakes and making money off of the tragedy of other people by using their identity as a method.

And I agree also, it is not at all "cool".

[Broken_Hero]

8. Ain't that the truth...n/t

[Broken_Hero]

7. Okay...:)

I read your post this post weekend, and my wife and I both debated this issue, back and forth to one another, and she will probably be in here to write a response, but this is my view...:)

Blood Quantum, the circle of proving if you are American Indian, is a circle in which was created, when American Indians started getting benefits from past treaties/agreements from the Federal Government. I don't know how many times, I have been asked, "So, what do I get if I can prove i'm American Indian?" That question, burns me so badly, and yet I have heard it countless times. That question, I believe is one of the reasons why Blood Quantum has to be upheld, to keep out the "idiots" who just want to prove they are Indian, so they can get, or achieve some percieved "benefit."

If you throw Blood Quantum out the window, I think, we will finally have universal health care for the whole United States, because by what standard will be used to determine if you are American Indian? Descendancy? Cherokee Nation in Tahlequah, Ok is a prime example of how lax blood quantum can be taken advantage of. When I go to Claremore Hospital in Oklahoma, I see people pulling up in Escalades, and a wide assortment of upper "tier" vehicles, and yet, they cannot afford better health care? I see, predominately "white indians" who take advantage of the lax blood quantum of cherokee nation, and is that fair? I say, it isn't.

Example: My wife's aunt, broke her wrist 6 yrs ago, and she attempted to have her wrist fixed by surgery at Claremore Indian Hospital, but Cherokee Nation denied her, because she lived out of state, she lived in Missouri. They denied, a full blooded cherokee, who could speak her language, who attends stomp dances, and lives her culture...and yet, and yet??? Cherokee Nation allows millionaires, to abuse their system,

Example: My friend Tom, who is Osage, had a computer business, which he sold to his business partner. After Tom sold his part of his business, he ran into his friend at Claremore, and Tom asked, "what the hell are you doing here? His friend replied "I'm here, with my wife who broke her leg, and they are fixing her up." Tom replied "Bud, you are a millionaire, I know how good your business is doing, and how much of what I sold you was worth, so, why are you here, of all places, you know IHS isn't all that." His friend replied "It's free." and he walked off....

Now, is their something wrong with this picture? BTW, I forgot to mention his friend, was 1/260th cherokee(who never participated in his culture)...is their something wrong with this picture? A full blooded cherokee woman, swept aside over a inane technacality, and Cherokee Nation providing health care to a white millionaire? I say hell freaking yes. If Indians, recieved no "benefits" from the Federal Government, I believe the roles of Cherokee Nation wouldn't have grown at all, or any tribes for that matter, but Cherokee Nation is the whipping boy of Blood Quantum debates. It seems to me, through my travels and experience encounter people who only want to prove they are "indian" to get some percieved benefit, and if that "benefit" wasn't there, I believe the whole Blood Quantum issue would be just about non-existant.

In my travels, and life experience, I have only come across maybe, 2, or 3 people who were(at least to me) truly interested in their Indian heritage, and paid no mind to what "benefits" awaited them if they got their CDIB card. And I have encountered over hundreds, hundreds of people who ask "what do i get if i can prove i am?" This scenario, i believe is why Blood Quantum needs to be enforced.

I can also, see the other side of the coin. Its hard for me to begrudge anyone health care, because of race or any factor, I'm of the mind, everyone should have healthcare. I wouldn't turn anyone away, my heart cannot turn away anyone in need...but my heart would be "awfully" tempted to turn away a millionaire, who abuses the IHS system, because he is too cheap to have another provider. I know a lot of Indians who would turn him away in a heart beat, but my heart is a bit bigger...:) It makes no sense to me, and that millionaire example is not the only one either....Abuses of the system, happen by all sorts of different parties.

I have inlaws in Grove Oklahoma, who get commodoties, and when they get them, they throw them in the garbage...yes, reread that sentence, you read it right the first time. I got inlaws in Grove, who get commodoties, and they throw them away. Does this make any sense to you? It makes zero sense to me. These inlaws are all half, to full blooded cherokee's, and they throw their commodoties away. I have asked them "why get them, if you are just going to throw them away?" The response I get from 99% of my inlaws..."I get them, because its mine, and I can do whatever I want with it." The point of this example, is to show, that even full blooded Indians, can act like complete and idiotic fools...but, I think it also ties in with the white millionaire, maybe, just maybe he thought "it was what was owed him too?" Its a question worth thinking on....

That in a nutshell, is the response I get. Now, is that a brain teaser or what? I get them, cause they are mine, so I can throw them away? While countless Indian families are below the poverty line, while FAS, and the education of our Indian children is in jeopardy, and yet, there are Indians who think, that the commodities they get are a "given gift of whats owed"...the abuses of the system, are on both sides.

The behavior of American Indians is truly bizzare in some cases, and I'm sure quite a few of you, have similiar stories, or experiences, or maybe not...:) But, i'm off point again dammit! Back to Blood Quantum...

I have seen "white indians" act more indian than full blooded ones, damn, I'm only 1/5th Haida, and its only because i'm a direct descedant from a 1/4 or higher Haida(mother), that I have a CDIB card. If i married a non-indian woman, my child would not be able to claim Haida, and get a CDIB card by the Blood Quantum standard, albiet i would raise him/her as a "Haida" and my child would learn about the culture. When my wife and I have a child, he/she will be a a Keetowah Band Cherokee, their blood quantum is 1/4 or more, but again, I would raise them as a Haida as well...

Blood Quantum, I see as necessary evil of sorts, to keep the "idiots" who want to prove they are indian, to get a percieved "benefit." Oh, I do have to disagree on a part of your post...

"Throughout Native history blood has never really been a factor in determining who was or was not included in a tribe."

I dont' agree with this statement. Indians, in my experience, by and large, and through history seem to be a very PROUD people. The Osage hated the Pawnee's, and would balk at the thoughts of anyone of their tribe marrying into the Pawnee nation, or accepting a Pawnee into their tribe. Same with my tribe, Haidas, Tlingets, and Tsimpsians, don't have a good history of working with one another either. The Tlingets were predominately the stronger tribe, and would use Haida's, and other nations as slaves, and I doubt, seriously, that they would adopt a Haida into their fold. I'm not saying its impossible, or it would never happen, because it probably has happened, but to a small degree. Its my view, or take that blood was a more a "factor" in determining who was included in the tribe....but i could be wrong, i'm not perfect, :

Good post though, I have been awaiting a decent thread on Blood Quantum.....:)

[cleofus1]

9. great post....

although i must say that the people i knew who got commodities for the most part ate them up...except for the powdered milk...which i believe is inedible...
i just love velveeta and macaroni! mmmmmmmmmmmmmm.dats good stuff!

[Broken_Hero]

10. Thanks...:)

Only one of my wife's cousins let us have their commodoties, cause they don't use them, the rest of her family on the Oklahoma side, gets them, and tosses them. I don't understand it, it boggles my mind. They get a lot of pasta, macaroni, stew, buffalo meat, canned juices, and vegetables...I especially like the Buffalo meat, super low on fat, and I love that, im' trying to lose a few pounds...:) Oh, they do keep their damn cheese though, dammit! Commode cheese, is rather good, it reminds me of those Velveta bricks, of cheese...pretty damn good as a Nacho Cheese dip, or for crackers...:)

I havne't posted in here for a while...I saw the Blood Quantum post this past weekend, and wanted to take more time to brood on it before posting, I was figuring people would flame me for saying the things I did, but time will tell...its just how i see it...