WEH, I managed to get down to Sultan Park, Saturday. I gourd danced all afternoon, about three hours worth, in the hottest part of the day. Then I decided I'd better get back before dark, so I left before the big time stuff really got started that evening.

If you were there, you didn't seek me out. I don't have any idea who you are. I was hoping you would have at least come over to speak to me. Maybe you were elsewhere, during the heat. Lots of people started coming in at six.

Sorry I missed you. If you didn't know who I was, I had on a yellow T-shirt and a red bandana, with jeans. Yellow, red, and blue.

I'll say this, I play soccer, and i've never been so tired as I was after dancing! It was the heat, no doubt.

See you at the Fair in September?

By the way, I do want to say, you are distinguised in my mind from all other Comanches I happen to know or know of. You cared whether or not I came at all. For this, you are the greater Comanche. I thank you for that.

Yeagley,

First off, you are a racist. There's no two ways about that. You continue and persist to call African Americans or Black people, "Negro's" which I'd like to see you do in real life amongst them.

Secondly it's so ironic that you are so against any type of cultural influence from other cultures when you yourself are half white. So ironic.

There is so much paranoia and fear in you. You speak of this Hitleresque cultural preservation, seeking to weed out others less worthy. It's very Aryan. So much fear!

We do not live in a cultural vacuum. You can continue to wear your chokers and feathers and pose in stoic, sepia tone, Edward Curtis dream world but the rest of us live the life.

weh

Posted by weh at July 18, 2003 02:38 AM
---------

Goodness this posts wreaks of jealousy and envy against Dr. Yeagley. So what if he loves to pose in a stoic, sepia tone. It doesn't matter what we wear...we can do as we please...you WEH are not the judge, jury or lynchman for anyone.

We are all racist WEH and I bet you are too..

PS: I wonder what you wear WEH..and I bet it is all white American clothing also. Good grief.

Betty Ann

Yeagley,

It's to my understanding that those homes go to people with children or families. From what you say here I am assuming you have no wife or children living with you. This is why you would not qualify for a home.

I think it's great that your caring for your mother, that's not the point. The point is by being an observor to the culture and not taking part it makes it very difficult to write about the culture. You have an excuse, bravo. This does not give you free reign to write about all things Comanche without some heavy criticism. When you don't participate in the culture people know. It comes out in all the little things, such as the heavy use of "wind" adjectives, which I've already referred to before, to name just one.

Racist, this is a term that is in full use in the English language and you know full well what it means. You tread oh so close to it so many times with your 1950's terms. It's as if your bitter and want to offend black people. You should call people what they prefer to be called, not how you would like to call them, and particularly you don't call somebody a name that's offensive. That's just basic human decency that trancends political ideas.

I won't go into the Alexie comment and what was said by him and what was said by you, etc. I'll keep that between your guys. Exchanging posts with you is confusing enough. You tend to slither out of comments and reshape them so I never really know what it is you are saying and what you stand for. There's no need to send Sherman anything from me. I can do this on my own.

Bring plenty of water if you haven't already left. It's hot this year.

weh

WEH, it looks like I'm driving down early Saturday morning, and having to come back late Saturday night. I couldn't get my brother to cover for me. I don't know if you know anything about the burden of caring for the crippled elderly, but it is no light thing. This is my burden.

Also, a few years ago, before my mother's accident, I APPLIED for a house down in Lawton. I made all the contacts at our offices, and filled out a long application. Never heard a single word back, phone or letter. You must know, it's who you know. There are rarely any "across the board" tribal benefits. I really want to actually move down there. i can't right now, because of my mother. She owns her home up here in OKC, and doesn't want to move or leave the house. So, I'm "stuck." Mom first, me second. That's the way it is. Traditional enough for you?

Racist? That's your term, not mine. I don't know what it means. I means different things to different people. Words don't mean, people mean.
The word "black" means nothing to me. Negro has history, dignity, and pride. I'm prepareing an articlre on this very subject.

by the say, Alexie wrote me right after I sent him the link to the blog. He's got such a pleasant personality. He got the humor of it all, as I knew he would. I haven't written back yet, but write me privately with your name, and I'll tell him what you said. otherwise, he probably won't remember you.

Yeagley,

First off, you are a racist. There's no two ways about that. You continue and persist to call African Americans or Black people, "Negro's" which I'd like to see you do in real life amongst them.

Secondly it's so ironic that you are so against any type of cultural influence from other cultures when you yourself are half white. So ironic.

There is so much paranoia and fear in you. You speak of this Hitleresque cultural preservation, seeking to weed out others less worthy. It's very Aryan. So much fear!

We do not live in a cultural vacuum. You can continue to wear your chokers and feathers and pose in stoic, sepia tone, Edward Curtis dream world but the rest of us live the life.

weh

Weh, there is a modern anomaly in Indian country. It's called "multi-culturalism." Yes, it's a modern thing. But I don't have to participate in it, like it, foster it, etc. No such tradition says I must.

I don't think "black culture" has any part in Comanche life. Never did before. Why now? In the name of "democracy?" In the name of not being "prejudice?" In Comanche land, the Negro was never an ally nor a friend. You know this. Our very word for the Negro indicates how we considered him. Historically, the only people that had a significant influence on us were the Spanish military, then the Mexicans. Even the white influence is relatively late.

The black influence is superfical, false, non-historical, and to me, is destructive. It is alien to us, our style, our values, and our people.

Now, lots of cultures are alien to us. Nothing wrong with that. But do we go out of our way and seek to adopt the clothing, speech style, and music of other cultures? No. Not as a people we don't. What "blackness" there is in Comanche land is the result of black aggression, not us seeking them.

weh: American Indians come in all shapes, sizes and forms. There is not set standard out there that says we need to follow guidelines or rules. To do so or even hint would be foolish.

Just as white America has a variety of cultural ways within their systems so do American Indians.

Our people are scattered all over the continent, yet we are Indians but different.

Dr. Yeagley comes from a different background than many of us did..does that make him more or less Indian then the rest of us? I say no. The fact remains we are of Indian blood and so is he.

Too many non-Indians are claiming lineal heritage under great-great-great chiefs and yet, cannot prove they are of ancestral blood. Many use this excuse to enter pageants, races or whatever, these are the ones who hurt American Indians.

The days of the buffalo and horses are gone here in America, but not really. The American image of our people flourishes in the minds of the curious as to who we are, and I for one will not burst their dream world.

You keep up the good work Dr. Yeagley.

Betty Ann

As you stated Yeagley, the hip hop music was set up for the youth. It was not set up for you. If you wanted to take part in it I'm sure no one would choose to deny you.

Like it or not, Native people live in an age where we have all sorts of influences. This will not change. We do not live in a vacuum and it would be foolish to wish otherwise. Like it or not you must understand and get past this idea of riding horses and hunting buffalo. Again I reiterate that taking part in the culture makes you understand these things more clearly.

Weh

"Having said all that, still I feel most at home musically when I'm sitting in a drum circle, the drum beat coursing through my drumstick and into my heart and back again to the drum and sharing this with my drum group." weh writes

good day
WEH

Posted by weh at July 16, 2003 01:27 PM
---------------------------------
Now this is reality! The Indian men around the drum singing them songs thats makes one proud to be a tribal member, Indian or whatever.

And the beauty of their voices blending in with not only the drum beat, but the surroundings of nature...that is real music. The heartbeat of real Indian country.

I am critical often of our Indian men, but during the powwow season and special events nothing on earth can compare the beauty and magnificence of seeing our warriors in full regalia...oh my!

Betty Ann

Cathy: One of my closest friends up in old Connecticut has a daughter (whom I should have at least tried to marry!) named Julie. Julie's mother showed me a little paper Julie wrote in the fourth grade. The assignment was, "What would you like to be?" Julie's paper: "I Want To Be An Indian" Julie and family, of course, are all white. But as a child, a mere child, Julie felt the call. I shall post this letter one day, when I can find it, soon. It says a lot, socio-psychologically.

WEH: At the Comanche fair last year, they had a "disco" thing set up in the gymn, concurrent with the pow-wow dancing. This was for the "youth." I went over to check it out. There was loud, "black" rap blasting. It was dark, with flashing lights, etc. No one was dancing, just standing around in the corners, talking.

Please tell me this is not your idea of being with the people, doing what they do, and following a new "tradition."

I prefer the "corny" wind, any day.

This won't have anything to do with the subject matter of this post, and I promise I'm not going to make a habit of this. I just want you all to know how impotant being able to speak with you is to me. I have always wanted to forge a tie with the Indians of this land, my heart has always burned with that flame. I never found the courage to do so because I'm aware of how some Natives view white looking people claiming to be Indian. And they have every right and most importantly, every reason to have those views. I'm aware that being Indian isn't a privelage, it's a birth rite. Anyone can claim to be American, but to be an Indian is to be born Indain, just as to be white is to be born white. I was born of two white parents, my Indain blood comming from my Fathers, Mothers, Mothers side. My Grt.Grt.Grand Mother. So you see, I could never claim to be Indian, it's just rediculous. I have been raised within the white culture, not Indian, I would never disclaim that. I found much to be proud of within the people I come from within my white heredity. However, my heart has always desired a connection, with my Indian side, I can not explain why, but the burn has always been there. I was also afraid because the worst thing to happen to me would be for someone to laugh and mock me, calling me a wanta be. I seen pictures of my Great GrandMother, and she is beautiful. I have been told by my GrandMother that she looked just like her Mother, my Indian Grt.Grt. GrandMother. I always wanted to go the Cherokee Reservation in the Smokeys and just talk, just experience. But I'm a coward. Regection would break my heart. So I want to say, "Thank You So Much." I will now get off my soap box, and never bring this up again. Cathy

I'm aware that powwows are relatively new concepts in relation to the overall history of Native culture. The Ponca's are credited with it's orgin right here in Oklahoma. The point is that to claim your part in a culture that is still very much going on, you should attend these dances that we have, especially ones such as Comanche homecoming for Comanche homecoming is just that, a homecoming for Comanche's. It's original purpose was a a celebration for returning veterans. It is now a place for Comamche's to visit one another and catch up. Let this be a metaphor for you then, that what was once the original purpose has changed into something traditional because in Comanche life this happens often. It is not a recommended thing to sit back by your books and observe the culture. By doing that you will never truly know whats going on in the culture. This idea of going back to orginal values is faulty it encourages you to step back and keep yourself at a distance with what's actually going on in Comanche country. What are the original values Yeagley? Do you know them without resorting to some using overly corny adjectives, without resorting to your wind phrases? You must take part in a culture if you choose to see yourself aligned to it, I cannot stress that enough. Otherwise your just an anthropologist.

The term "high art" is silly to me. All art is equal and the same to me. As I mentioned before I enjoy some Gerswhin yet I also understand and appreciate the beauty in old country songs, the type my daddy and grandpa listened to and through them, I came to know it. It is the music of the older Indian people like it or not. To know it is to know where you are coming from. People like Bob Will sing songs about our home, "take me back to Tulsa/I'm to young to marry". These are songs we can relate to easily. There is no either or however, I believe you can and should be able to like any good art. This idea of "high art" is awfully elitist Yeagley and I'm suprised that you use such a term. My point was misunderstood.

Having said all that, still I feel most at home musically when I'm sitting in a drum circle, the drum beat coursing through my drumstick and into my heart and back again to the drum and sharing this with my drum group.

good day
WEH

"By the way, Betty, I saw that URL for Jacita Eagle Deer, and went right to it. I also tried to contact the person who posted it. I ended up with two different e-mail addresses, NEITHER of which worked. I mailed a thank you note, but both came back. Why?

Isn't this an important issue? Why would they not want to be contacted?" Dr. Yeagley writes

Posted by David Yeagley at July 16, 2003 11:15 AM
------------

There can be several different reasons for the e-mail coming back..someone who reads bad eagle finds this site a safe haven and yet are too afraid to disclose their names and where they are located.

And it is probably a American Indian from AIM or the Wilson Goon Squad coming in under a diferent screen name just to let people know that there are still unresolved issues in South Dakota. Nothing wrong with either group mentioned.

Or it can be someone who knows that US House of Representative William Janklow probably will not survive his heart surgery and there is a urgent need to have the Jancita Eagle Deer addressed before he goes, in which I too believe Janklow will not survive this surgery.

The irony of all this is, I respect William Janklow and we even talked lately in Sioux Falls and he offered a friendly hug to me...but, when others do this to American Indians, I feel there was a sense of need in him and that he didn't want to share with me but lingered and now I know he probably wanted to tell me about his illness, but was afraid of rejection..who knows.

I know this is on the Oklahoma Indian pageants, but one word leads to another and last night (don't think I am crazy yet) or early this morning about 3:30 a.m. when the Sioux say the spirits are busy and traveling, I saw Janklow in a dream or vision and around him were thousands of American Indians from Sioux country and around the world singing victory songs and death songs. Not one song honored him....I watched as a third person and awakened when I seen the fear etched in the face of William Janklow and get this, Dr. Yeagley I can understand Dakota and all that but some of the songs in the oldest form of Dakota I understood and a young girl came up behind me and it was Jancita and she was smiling and ready to go and rest now (her spirit), then I click on to badeagle and there is the post...so here I am trying to make sense like Cathy is of being American Indian.

And no offense to you Dr. Yeagley and your air conditioner or your love for Beethoven, we love you all the same and nothing can ever change that.

Your Santee Dakota friend,

Betty Ann

By the way, Betty, I saw that URL for Jacita Eagle Deer, and went right to it. I also tried to contact the person who posted it. I ended up with two different e-mail addresses, NEITHER of which worked. I mailed a thank you note, but both came back. Why?

Isn't this an important issue? Why would they not want to be contacted?

Betty,
I'm sorry, I had no idea. That's why I'm here, I have a very stronge need to learn. Thank you.

Dr. Yeagely,
How are you patriotic to a gov. who is still doing these things to your people? Or am do I have the wrong impression?
Cathy

Okay. Maybe there is a socio/economic factor involved here. But, hey, I've been homeless, for months. And I don't think there's anything wrong with fine art. Some people really do, though. I'm aware of that. It makes you "cocky" they say. Well, as a Comanche, I was born cocky! (I catch hell for that one!)

Now, on the matter of air conditioning. Gee, that's become an issue now. Hmmm. I know my mother said her family always had a huge arbor out back of the house. (They had land..) But, now, I LIKE airconditioning. Am I less Indian now? (I how we all realize the humor in all these remarks.)

Let must just say, seriously, I think as an Indian I want to show that I can handle anything in the world, any culture, any field of endeavor. I'm not afraid. (I was like this as a dark little kid, the "Indian boy" among blondes.)
To me, the world is a wide plain to roam on, to discover, to be in. Although I have strong "withdrawal" instincts about now, I have always met the world head on, by the horns.

Hey, my mother once danced with Bob Wills. Anyone remember him?

"I also have Indian genetics. Genetics that are so far removed by white grand parents that I can't legally claim them. My Great, great Grand Mother was Cherokee. Her Indian looks were pretty much lost in the mix of time, but if you look closely into my very dark brown eyes, you can still see her there. When you look deeper, you can see her soul, for I feel her speaking to me. You see, I do truely care. And talk about someone very confused, I am." Cathy

Posted by Cathy at July 16, 2003 10:55 AM

------------------------
Okay

Betty Ann

"Hmmmm, now I'm very confused. One thing which is becomming perfectly clear to me is that Indians at this time in history are having an identiy crises. This worries me horribly. The whites in this country are doing the same thing. And beleive me, air conditioners are not what they are cracked up to be. I remember when my Mom first got one in the mid 60's. My life became hell. All of the sudden I was yelled at every time I came into the house. I was letting the cold air out. My whole childhood changed with A/C. I felt less important somehow. I do not see all technology as a good thing. Now kids are fat, and as far as I'm concerned, mis-treated. I do not nor never had A/C in my homes and I refuse to use them in my car. Be thankful for this. That's one of the reasons I warned in an earlier post not to become us. God help us all guys, we really do need it." Cathy

Posted by Cathy at July 16, 2003 10:31 AM
-----------

Indians at this time in history are having a identity crises? How so Cathy? If one is Indian and grew up Indian there is no identity crises.

If one grew up on a reservation linked to their lineal heritage and were taught the ways of their people there is no identity crises.

The identity crises occurs when we have black people like that friggen black man Jerry Monroe claim to be a real Indian chief of a fake tribe of Indians called the BINAAY Tribe out of New York, charging other lost blacks to belong to something, anything in America for only $45.00 per membership. This is the real identity crises.

The identity crises occurs when we have white Americans both men and women and now children claim to be from great Sioux and Choctaw chiefs and claim Indian heritage because their grandmother told them so (legends, oral history, undocumented stories) entering pageants or anything that involves Indians for the title, recognition and money. But what happens after the lights go down? Do these white and black people then still claim to be Indian? No, they don't. This is the real identity crises.

There is no identity crises in America for the thousands of American Indians who are from true Indian descendants and lineal heritages, for these are the true American Indians and the irony of it all is you will never read their words over the internet for they are protected by their oyates and they protect themselves. Only a few dare venture out and for many of us we don't share many things on the net due to the identity crises in this time of history that many white and black nations are facing today. Cultural theft and identity.

Finally, it doesn't matter where our people are in America or abroad if they are of a strong tribal or reservation foundation they know who they are and they know where they are going. So we are not facing identity crises, but we are facing the termination of our lands and people once again in America, this is the real crises. We only need to look at the band of Indians on the east coast who had their little smoke shop raided in Manhatten I believe because they didn't follow the white man's rules, but the white man is forgetting their agreement to the Indians in Manhatten and the white folks there should be grateful the Indians didn't take control of the entire 3,600 acres of land. This is where the crises lies, our Indian people still facing violence by law enforcement and facing the loss of sovereignty because the iron fist of supremacy camed down once again.

Betty Ann

I had another memory on life before A/C. People used to keep the broad leafed trees around their houses to cool them, which in turn helps the environment/and all of our future generations life styles. People used to use less electricity because no A/C was runing all summer, so there was less coal minning, and less coal burning, which is also a big plus to the environment. Being from Ky., I'm a bit of an expert on damage from coal minning and what the burning of that much coal can do. We don't have nuclear nor water generated electric plants here. They burn coal to turn turbines. Turbines which provide A/C. How many of you guys live or have lived in the East, or South East? I have seen more trees destroyed here in the last 30 years than I ever thought imaginable. Ky. was once so full of trees that you couldn't see the horrizon from anywhere. Now it looks like another plains state. Please don't think that I'm a nut case liberal, I'm not. I don't subscribe to any political affiliation. I subscribe to this land on which we depend. I hadn't said this before but I'm going to now. I also have Indian genetics. Genetics that are so far removed by white grand parents that I can't legally claim them. My Great, great Grand Mother was Cherokee. Her Indian looks were pretty much lost in the mix of time, but if you look closely into my very dark brown eyes, you can still see her there. When you look deeper, you can see her soul, for I feel her speaking to me. You see, I do truely care. And talk about someone very confused, I am. Cathy

Hmmmm, now I'm very confused. One thing which is becomming perfectly clear to me is that Indians at this time in history are having an identiy crises. This worries me horribly. The whites in this country are doing the same thing. And beleive me, air conditioners are not what they are cracked up to be. I remember when my Mom first got one in the mid 60's. My life became hell. All of the sudden I was yelled at every time I came into the house. I was letting the cold air out. My whole childhood changed with A/C. I felt less important somehow. I do not see all technology as a good thing. Now kids are fat, and as far as I'm concerned, mis-treated. I do not nor never had A/C in my homes and I refuse to use them in my car. Be thankful for this. That's one of the reasons I warned in an earlier post not to become us. God help us all guys, we really do need it. Cathy

Dr. Yeagley:

You have a very lovely relative and I bet you are very, very proud of her. By looking at your mother and aunt's picture, one can truly see their comanche blood shining through in Anne.

Blessings to all American Indians across America.

Betty Ann

http://www.jancitaeagledeer.com

Posted by Concerned at July 15, 2003 01:00 PM
---------------------

Dr. Yeagley don't you just love these little toss into the air type of deals. Subtle hints to remind us that we are American Indians and that one of our tribal members' death remains unsolved today and probably will be forever now as many are not stepping forward to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth. We have the main man accused of raping Jancita going in for bypass heart surgery and he probably will not survive and there goes one main player. Then we have all the white and Indian men who took advantage of Jancita when she was intoxicated remaining quiet, too afraid to bring out names...but guess what the Indian women are talking and they are telling their stories and the life of all involved and one day soon hope to get this information out.

Yes concerned we remember Jancita Eagle Deer and all the other women who died at very young ages in South Dakota.

Betty Ann

"In a way, American country music might be historically closer in proximity to American Indians. I know my mother grew up liking country (and gospel). What can I say? I grew up with Beethoven.

My position is, Indians can express ourselves through high art form. Why limit ourselves to the lowest level of white music?" Dr. Yeagley writes
------------
Why limit ourselves to the lowest level of white music? How insulting Dr. Yeagley. But did you ever stop and realize that many American Indians did not grow up with the wealth nor the resources that came easily to you? Many of us had only a radio (well not really a radio) but a work of art created with a old car battery, barbed wire and a white man's tossed away radio and we listened to the country music because we could identify with the songs. Now, since I never knew or even cared to read on Beethoven, nor did I ever see many American Indians connect to this type of music, perhaps it would do you some good Dr.Yeagley to listen to some low down trashy white man's music, since your dad is a white man and come down to earth and the reality that not all Indians are afforded what you have (minus the air conditioner) but if you need one, go to work like the rest of us and buy one, for it is not going to mystically land in your house. This is a dream world or a world of pipe dreams.

PS: I will stick to my trashy white man's music made right here in the good old USA and the singers are homegrown USA boys and girls. Now where was Beethoven from?

Betty Ann

In a way, American country music might be historically closer in proximity to American Indians. I know my mother grew up liking country (and gospel). What can I say? I grew up with Beethoven.

My position is, Indians can express ourselves through high art form. Why limit ourselves to the lowest level of white music?

Look what Indians have done with European pictorial art form? We did have that until the turn of the 20th century. But we're world players now, in art, sculpture, and even literature. So, I'm into classical composing, I, and a handful of others, one handful. Very few, but we are blazing a new path. I like new paths, directed from deep intuition, not intellectual, political, liberal/communist "professional" Indians.

By the way, for WEH, pow-wow life is not orthodox, but is a mix of Plains Indians, very much like ballet is not really French, but a mix of European styles. Pow-wow life is what Indians do, for sure, but, let's not get idolatrous about it. None of it is Comanche, in origin. There's THAT kind of tradition. What Comanches do now is not necessarily Comanche, just because Comanches are doing it. I know we've been faddish ever since we looked at those pretty Mexican clothes we saw. But, the important fad now is to go to our original values, which are intuitive, not on the surface.

"It would be so good for you to read some Nila Northsun. So good. Some music suggestions, Ernest Tubb, some Hank Williams, George Jones. Classical music is beautiful yes, but one should well rounded muscial appreciation, especially when approaching Native peoples'. I'm just attemping to understand from your peer group.

To steal a phrase from Ernest Tubb, "Thanks, Thanks alot." weh writes
--------------
Now this is deep rez life music! We are still listening to these oldies but goodies. Johnny Cash's "I Walk The Line" and all of Hank Williams Jrs' song. PS: The Outlaws, Jennings, Nelson, Tom Paul.

Betty Ann

Tsani, I second that, Dr. Yeagley's niece is a very pretty young lady.

I have a question for you, what is an Indian worldview? That one stumps me totally. Whenever I here the term worldview it is generally used by some liberal elitist type. It just sounds funny coming from an American Indian.

Steve

Weh, you're still there! I tried writing you after your last post, a week or so ago. The email came back to me, saying your box was "unavailable."

Well, no, you don't really know too much about me. I've been a head gourd dancer before, just not down in Walters. I make some my own stuff, too. I made my gourd.

My point was, whatever I accomplished in the way of education just happened to be because I had the talent, the will, and the force. My subjects weren't Indian subjects, per se. I wasn't a "professional Indian" like so many university types.

I suppose one could say an Indian makes a good Beethoven piano player. One critic called my playing "hostile." That was years ago.

I just had an Indian flute concerto recorded in Poland, by the Polish National Radio Symphony. I at least have the CD demo now. It's going to be distributed by Opus One recording company.

I don't really believe in different styles. I'm an elitist. I'm exlusive. Like the "old" days of the early Comanche. Remember? In fact, the only fad I'm interested in is the old days. Today has seen too many wrong directions. I prefer the former days. I'm talking about 19th century and well before. That's what interests me, not how many of todays comanches can grow a moustache. Know what I mean? I'm not into current fads.

Anyway, I'm making every effort to have my mother looked after while I take a couple of days off. I'm really hoping be down there in Walters.

In my private email, I thanked you for the respect and care you have shown--in between the lines. I know what you're saying, and I appreciate it. (I'm sure a lot of my readers don't quite see what I see in your words, but, that's okay for now.)

I sure do like Rhapsody in Blue having said all that, and I never even thing of him being Jewish! Imagine appreciating art and culture coming from Jewish people without skeptical eye!

It's very ironic that you would post such a thing about "Indian heritage", as if this was a thing that you yourself were not using to your own advantage. I suppose that by doing such a thing it infers that yes, you are not like these people that you accuse. It is a very smart thing to do to those who are in the dark, such as these people who read your posts, blogs, what have you.

You should be able to recognize these sorts of things very well, being that you share very similar themes, "heritage, claims to blood, etc." The idea of what is Indian and what isn't can become very gray to some people, especially to those who don't have a clue. I'm VERY interested to see if you choose to visit the Comanche homecoming powwow, a dance that my own sister, who is half white comes to every year. You mentioned that you don't have air conditioning, oh boo hoo. Most of the Natives I know don't. I don't myself. You need to take part in the dances, in the culture. Only when you do this can will you know what it's like to be Indian and more specifically Comanche.

Have you ever sang in a drum circle? Have you gourd danced? Have you ever danced at all? It's one thing to research and know your people and it's quite another to actually be OF your people. You really need to take part in your people before you begin to assume to understand where it is we come from or where we are going.

It would be so good for you to read some Nila Northsun. So good. Some music suggestions, Ernest Tubb, some Hank Williams, George Jones. Classical music is beautiful yes, but one should well rounded muscial appreciation, especially when approaching Native peoples'. I'm just attemping to understand from your peer group.

To steal a phrase from Ernest Tubb, "Thanks, Thanks alot."

WEH

Tsani, of course you have a point. And it always takes more than one point to get at the truth. I just posted this because I think at this point, "Indian heritage" is a sell. It reflects just how powerful the idea of an Indian really is. If you can claim it, it's to your advantage.
This is discouraging and flattering at the same time.

Actually, just about everyone in our Comanche family of my generation accomplished what we did without the "advantage" claim. Our chosen fields of endeavor, at the time we were in school, did not honor Indians, or being Indian. I guess Annie inherited that lack of "professional" Indian identity.

I was always "accused" of being Indian, whether it was baseball, art, piano, poetry, or black hair. Annie's dark, rich red hair I supposed enables her to "escape" such an accusation.

I love her very much, as does about everyone who knows her. Fact is, she is not been Indian oriented, culturally. She can't very well brag about being Indian. But she can certainly claim "Indian heritage" if she were inclined to use it as some kind of advantage.

It appears that your niece, Annie, is too BUSY to enter beauty contests! What an accomplished and beautiful young woman, a credit to your family and your nation. I am sure that success and admiration will follow her steps without the need for the false celebrity that comes with a pageant crown.

That is a face that could break a lot of hearts.

Having said that, I would beware setting up looks as an exclusive criterion for "nativeness". Other native friends of mine often speak of being mistaken for Latinos. It is possible to look quite "native" and have no native blood and no native culture or worldview.

I think native identity should be a combination of factors including looks, blood, culture, ancestry, and mental outlook and allegiance.

http://www.jancitaeagledeer.com