Ask a Native American (aka red indian)

[iron codpiece]

Copying Ace?s popular [a href=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/18.78482?page=1] ask a cop [/a] thread (feel free to bump that thread as it is very fascinating and more people should read it) and at the recommendation of a few escapists I?m here to answer questions all things native. To inform you so your questions won?t be misguided I am of the ?Ponca? people so my knowledge is largely limited to central plains natives. Though I have studied other cultures as well. I Live on the Knox County reservation until I was 12 years old. Don?t be afraid of being a little racist, ignorant or coming off that way. It?s the whole point so that I can edu-ma-cate you.

To the questions!

Edit: you can also ask me about being a bouncer if you find the native thing uninteresting.

 

[RedDiablo]

How is it being a bouncer?

 

[ace_of_something]

Yes, right here!
Why is it any former roommates I had that were Ponca left so much damn hair in shower drain?

edit: let's just go with hair everywhere.

 

[newguy77]

Are you offended at all that some sports teams are using names like Chiefs and Indians?

 

[Legion]

Does it annoy you the way some Americans (of Caucasian descent specifically) behave as though America has always been a White, English speaking country?

 

[El Poncho]

Do you gather with your relatives and celebrate your roots?

 

[ace_of_something]

How is it being a bouncer?

It's pretty cool you get to play hero to ladies in distress. Free/cheap drinks on your off days. Just make sure you have some damn comfortable shoes and aren't afraid to get hit occasionaly.

Oh you were asking him? my bad.

 

[iron codpiece]

How is it being a bouncer?

It's pretty sweet I probably almost never get hit because you usually sucker punch people. Get lots of phone numbers too.

Yes, right here!
Why is it any former roommates I had that were Ponca left so much damn hair in shower drain?

edit: let's just go with hair everywhere.

I've already told you; because it's summer and we shed. It's cuz we're closer to earth.

 

[Sneaky Paladin]

Are all indians like the one I heard about at a party celebrating the Canadian guard ( or something ) Where the native american sang a song about white people taking his homeland with a chorus going " and that is what the white man did to me " because he was a jackass

 

[G1eet]

Finally, a thread on racism that welcomes it so that understanding can be taught.

On the topic of racism, have you ever been treated adversely because of your heritage?

 

[KingOfTwilight]

How do you like not paying taxes?

 

[HerrBobo]

If I give you these beeds and a bever pelt, will you give me your house?

 

[iron codpiece]

Are you offended at all that some sports teams are using names like Chiefs and Indians?

Me, personally? I don't get any more upset than say a person of scandanavian heiratage would about 'the vikings'. I find it cool to be identified as a tough people. However, there are some high schools that'll have names like 'the savages' or 'warriors' and depict us in a much less respectful light. That grates my nerves. I know many people who petitioned a local high school to change it's name from the indians. I actually ATTENDED that high school and every. single. person. wanted to know how I felt or got nasty with me like it was MY fault.

Does it annoy you the way some Americans (of Caucasian descent specifically) behave as though America has always been a White, English speaking country?

Yes, very much. I mean very few of us speak our native tongue anymore and those that do it's usually just for scholarly or religious purposes. I myself only speak Ponca on the level of a 7 year old. I could also argue before those English, Dutch, French speaking folk came here it wasn't 'America' it was just 'home'. So maybe they're half right? I don't know

 

[iron codpiece]

Do you gather with your relatives and celebrate your roots?

Yes we do. My father (who is no longer with us) was actually able to prefom the Sun Dance that my people are regionally famous for and was something of a religious offical in the reservation (he was also a MD). He dispised the term 'medicine man'. If I'm ever feeling rootsy I just drive back up to the reservation and visit. Few of my relatives have left there. By the way would you be willing to go to a Dr. Plentywounds for your medical problems? I was always suprised no one had a problem with it.

 

[ae86gamer]

Do you get offended when people call you Indian and not Native American, considering you're not actually from India and whatnot.

 

[El Poncho]

Do you gather with your relatives and celebrate your roots?

Yes we do. My father (who is no longer with us) was actually able to prefom the Sun Dance that my people are regionally famous for and was something of a religious offical in the reservation (he was also a MD). He dispised the term 'medicine man'. If I'm ever feeling rootsy I just drive back up to the reservation and visit. Few of my relatives have left there. By the way would you be willing to go to a Dr. Plentywounds for your medical problems? I was always suprised no one had a problem with it.

I probably would then he I would know he has experience with wounds

 

[iron codpiece]

Are all indians like the one I heard about at a party celebrating the Canadian guard ( or something ) Where the native american sang a song about white people taking his homeland with a chorus going " and that is what the white man did to me " because he was a jackass

Hahahah. We call it 'native guilt' or 'red guilt' when we make everyone else feel guilty for what happened to our ancestors. A powerful version of 'the race card' there are some guys like that they are usually much older. Younger generation is more concerned with alcoholism.

Finally, a thread on racism that welcomes it so that understanding can be taught.

On the topic of racism, have you ever been treated adversely because of your heritage?

In the states it's only happened once or twice and that was usually when someone thought I was Mexican.
However, when I traveled abroad in europe I was asked some out and out racist questions like "have you ever scalped anyone?" or "can you dance for us!?" if I didn't inform people of my race they tended to think I was asian, central american, or arabic. Let me tell you a lot of people don't like them either.

 

[G1eet]

Finally, a thread on racism that welcomes it so that understanding can be taught.

On the topic of racism, have you ever been treated adversely because of your heritage?

In the states it's only happened once or twice and that was usually when someone thought I was Mexican.
However, when I traveled abroad in europe I was asked some out and out racist questions like "have you ever scalped anyone?" or "can you dance for us!?" if I didn't inform people of my race they tended to think I was asian, central american, or arabic. Let me tell you a lot of people don't like them either.

Ouch, that's low. I used to have that mindset about Native Americans when I was four. Then I started to learn about all the different tribes and what settlers did.

Woops.

Sidenote: the creation stories I've heard from Midwest and Pacific Northwest tribes have been very intriguing. Much less inciting that my technical religious standpoint

 

[iron codpiece]

How do you like not paying taxes?

Actually, it sucks. This is why few reservations have medical services, electricity, and plumbing. My reservation didn?t have widespread plumbing until 1990. No snow removal either. Sub-Par schools. Even the US postal service just kinda drops it all off at the doorstep and we have to sort though it.

However, I don?t live on the reservation so I still have to pay taxes like everyone else.

 

[iron codpiece]

If I give you these beeds and a bever pelt, will you give me your house?

Well say now that sounds like a good dea... waiiiit a minute. Oh hohoho you almost got me there but I'm not falling for that one again. Jokes on you anway, I RENT.

Do you get offended when people call you Indian and not Native American, considering you're not actually from India and whatnot.

I wouldn't say offeneded but I'm pretty laid back. I just always refer to myself as a Native if someone is around me enough they pick up on that and start to say the same. A big reason why is because I think it's more confusing than offensive. I mean what if we called people from Texas, USA and people from Spain all 'Spanish' that would be confusing.