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Am I wrong to not want to become a member of the Cherokee tribe even though I qualify?

  • My maternal grandmother was half native, but a full member of the cherokee tribe. We have all her paper work to prove it, and she was really involved with the tribe before she had my mom, but afterwards not so much. My mom is 1/4 native, and a full member of the tribe. This part of her heritage has always been a big point of pride for my mother despite not being involved with the tribe at all. She's on the roll and she has her card and everything, but beyond that she doesn't have anything to do with the tribe. Then there's me. I qualify to be the on the roll and become a member of the tribe, and my mom has been pushing me to do so for a while now, but I don't feel right about it. I don't feel like I have the right to claim that identity when, for all true purposes, I'm not Cherokee. I'm of native descent, but I don't feel like that entitles me to right to call myself a Cherokee and become a member of the tribe. My mom says I'm being stupid and over thinking it. She says it sounds like I'm just trying to justify feeling ashamed of my heritage, but I don't know. She claims that I need to embrace my heritage and family's history, and that I shouldn't feel guilty about joining the tribe. So am I being stupid and over thinking all of this? Do I have the wrong idea about how important becoming a tribe member is? Should I join the tribe when they open it again?

  • Answer:

    Just bear in mind....if you don't enroll, then none of your children will be able to either. You are making this choice then, not just for yourself, but on behalf of your descendents. By choosing not to enroll as a citizen, you take away their right to be a part of the tribe as well. You have a chance, and an obligation, to be part of something bigger than just yourself. Just because you don't want to be involved in the tribe right now, doesn't mean you won't change your mind later. Don't throw away that option for yourself. Years from now, you may wish to become part of a cherokee community. It is a great thing, being part of a native society. I hope you do have the chance to discover that. Until then, I strongly urge you to enroll, for yourself and your future..

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no

carey_ball

You either qualify for tribal affiliation or not. It isn't complicated. What is the problem?

Thomas

There are those with higher percentages of Indian ancestry who are not eligible to join; so, if you join, you would be making up for those who can't. You should always take advantage of all that life has to offer; after all, life isn't fair. So get, some give. So, join and be proud of all your ancestors. Of course, joining does not mean you need to take advantage of anyone.

Nothingusefullearnedinschool

If I were you I would obtain my tribal membership. There is nothing wrong with claiming that part of your ancestry.

Robisgangsta1

No. If you don't feel that it is right, don't do it.

no

How can that be "wrong"? Identity isn't just based on genetic heritage. You can define yourself whatever way you want, belong to any culture you want, speak any language you want. If you don't feel Cherokee and don't think tribal membership makes sense for you, then there's no reason to join other than pragmatic. You have no obligation to anyone to "embrace [your] heritage." No one can impose heritage or culture on you. You're an individual and you decide what matters to you - your politics, your morals, your food tastes, how you dress, everything. If you care, then by all means, join. Maybe you are over-thinking membership. On the other hand, if you don't want to associate with the tribe and it'd provide you nothing of any value to you, then don't. Tell your mother that not joining doesn't change anything about you as a person and doesn't make you any less a part of your family. Paying allegiance to people who died before you were even born over your own desires doesn't seem rational. They have no more relevance to your life than my ancestors do to your life. They're gone, you're alive, and you get to choose how you live. You're not a bad person or disloyal for it.

TheOrange Evil

I feel you should join and become eligible for all tribal benefits as well as be able to vote in tribal elections. However------ If you don't want to join, don't do it. I'm 1/8 Cherokee Indian and an enrolled member of the Cherokee Nation. I'm also Irish/German. I FEEL Irish....I identify as Irish, but I can't deny that I am part Cherokee even though my family never made any sort of a deal about it. BTW--I'm very fair, natural blonde hair, blue eyes. Here's the tribal website. www.cherokee.org

Dresden Rose

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