lethargicperfectionist

hello neighborinos,

Just toying with the look of the blog- so expect different looks for different days, or even a change on the same day…until I find that look that is just right for the blog, whatever that means. I probably will not be keeping the present header/image on my front page, even though I like it and the message it conveys. The whole image is of this rotund “dude” with a headress, paint, and imagery evoking Native American stereotypical features, not to mention little flags saying “Kill the Savages”, going up to a Native American and saying “BUT I’M HONORING YOU DUDE!.” It’s a funny little cartoon that is so true to the whole topic of Indian/Racial mascots, but I am not going to go there just yet- maybe on a future blog.

But yes, it is true, I am Native American. That does not represent the totality of my identity, but it is a major constituent portion to say the least. I am actually descendant from indigenous folks from different sides of my family…though its usually in a remote manner. Some of my family hails from Mexico- from Michoacan to be exact, and the main indigenous group there are the Purepecha, whom represent some of my ancestors. My father’s family comes from Texas, where the Caddo originate from. My father’s family has lived in the region of Texas for more than 300 years, and they intermarried with the Caddo. Finally, there is the more immediate representation of my Native American identity- the Navajo.

I am Kinyaa’nii (Towering House clan) and Naakaii (Mexican clan) born for my mother’s (more approximately my grandfather’s) people, the Navajo. I am a quarter Navajo- but this represents a major portion of my mindset presently. However, I am not from the Navajo reservation, and I only return back to the rez every few years or so. I am from Long Beach/Carson California, where a large Native community lives and works. These Urban Natives represent a large portion of the present-day Native American population- fewer Natives are staying on the reservations these days, as jobs and opportunity are not always available (yes, I know about the Casino biznez, but most tribes do not have a Casino, and not every Casino is a multi-million dollar success). Many of these folks are the children of tribal members who were forcibly relocated in the 1940’s and 50’s from the reservations to the urban centers in an attempt at assimilation and destruction of culture. Many tribes were illegally terminated as official sovereigns, leaving thousands of Indians without homes and without an effective tribal government. They too were forced to move to support their families. The Termination and Relocation programs left a wide path of devastation on tribal communities, and it has only been recently that healing has begun to take place.

Native Americans in the 21st century are like any other people; working hard to make the rent or pay the bills for the house, raising their children to be good people, taking medications to fight off illness or disease, going to the beach on a warm summer day, and celebrating holidays with their family and friends. But in other ways, Native folks have a lot more to deal with then the average person; higher levels of alcoholism, diabetes, cancer, leukemia, asthma, obesity, etc…Not to mention the rigors of urban living that impact the Native community such as gang violence. A lot of these things are happening on the reservations, cept there are fewer jobs, more problems, and some traditionalists keeping the home fires burning. Many urban Natives have been separated from their tribes and cultures, though they still know who they are and attempt to relearn that which has been lost. Los Angeles Natives are a hardy people, and you can feel the vibrancy of the community in its youth activities, family day picnics, and pow wows. They come from many, many different tribes that now live together in this urban jungle, and do a fairly good job at working together.

I for one hope that there are more positive depictions of present day Native people; no more movies or mini-series about folks on horses, hunting buffalo, living in some other century. I want more movies and TV shows to depict Native people living and succeeding in the 21st century. And without mentioning casinos thank you. I do admit that the casino industry in Indian Country is a big biznez, especially here in California (or as Arnold pronounces it- Caulifournya), but like I said, not every tribe has a casino, and not every tribe who does have a casino necessarily benefit from it. I have been to a few here in Cali; Morongo, San Manuel, Santa Inez, Soboba, Barona, Sycuan, and Pechanga- which took a lot of money from me, I might add. I guess I just hope that the funds generated from these enterprises are used not only for the benefit of their small memberships, but also for Indian Country as a whole, which needs an influx of funds to create institutional support, schools, clinics, roads, and basic amenities that the majority of the folks in this country enjoy.

Finally, living as a Native American in Los Angeles in 2008 is a lot like walking a tightrope. It is precarious because you have a lot of weight to support- the pressures of living an urban life, along with the pressures to maintain your identity as a Native American. A lot of folks do so with amazing confidence and balance. Others are not so fortunate, and have difficulty with the tightrope. But I would like to think that we have a supportive group of people in LA, looking out for one another, and trying to help carry the load. And that’s what community is supposed to be doing, right?

LP

Trackback URI | Comments RSS