A Conversation With Native Americans on Race | Op-Docs

Summary

The speaker reflects on their experiences as an Apache person, highlighting how their identity is shaped by culture, land, and the legacy of colonization. They criticize the U.S. government's attempts to control Native identity through blood quantum and emphasize the struggle of being Native in a society that often erases Indigenous peoples. The speaker discusses the complexities of mixed-race identity, the importance of language and sovereignty, and how their very existence is an act of resistance and survival, tied deeply to their name and heritage.

Takeaways

• 🗣️ The speaker, Apache, expresses discomfort with being praised for participating in their culture, as they live it every day, not as a choice.
• 🏞️ The term 'indigenous' signifies a deep connection to a homeland, which is central to their identity.
• 🏙️ Living as a native in a city serves as a constant reminder of the erasure of their people and their existence.
• 👴 Encounters with racism include assumptions of their extinction and dehumanizing comments from older white men.
• 🐄 Negative stereotypes liken Native Americans to animals or property, highlighting their devaluation in society.
• 🩸 The concept of 'blood quantum' is used to monitor and categorize Native Americans, similar to how animals are tracked.
• 🍕 The speaker uses a pizza analogy to explain their own blood quantum, emphasizing the importance of heritage.
• 🆔 Native Americans are unique in having to prove their 'nativeness' with an Indian card, which can divide the community.
• 👩‍👧‍👦 The Apache society traditionally recognizes lineage through the mother, which contrasts with the American context's patriarchal approach.
• 🧬 Mixed-race individuals within the tribe are common, but the presence of African-American blood is met with unique challenges.
• 🏡 The government's aim to diminish native populations is tied to the dilution of bloodlines, affecting treaty rights and land claims.
• 🌱 Decolonization is an ongoing process, with progress seen in language preservation and living on ancestral lands.
• 💪 The act of stating one's Native American name is an act of resistance and a celebration of survival against historical oppression.

Q & A

What is the significance of the speaker's discomfort with people praising their decision to be part of their culture?

The speaker is uncomfortable because they have not 'decided' to be part of their culture; they live it every day. To them, their culture is not a choice but an intrinsic part of their identity.

Why does the speaker prefer the term 'native' over 'Native American' or 'American Indian'?

The speaker prefers 'native' because it feels less tied to colonial naming conventions. They reject 'American Indian' entirely, associating it with a colonial misnomer, and feel more connected to 'native' as it reflects their identity better.

What does being indigenous mean to the speaker?

For the speaker, being indigenous means having an intimate and interconnected relationship with a homeland. Land is crucial as it ties into every aspect of who they are as a native person.

How does living in a city affect the speaker’s sense of identity as a native person?

Living in a city reminds the speaker of their people's erasure, as it reinforces how society often forgets that native people still exist. The speaker feels invisible, like native culture has been wiped out in the urban environment.

What is the significance of 'blood quantum' in the speaker's experience?

Blood quantum is used to monitor and quantify native identity, a practice the speaker finds dehumanizing. It divides native people, reinforcing who is 'more' native based on arbitrary blood percentages. The speaker critiques this system as it treats natives like animals and creates internal divisions.

What comparison does the speaker make between the 'one drop rule' and blood quantum?

The speaker contrasts the 'one drop rule,' which historically defined someone as Black with one drop of Black blood, with blood quantum, which dilutes native identity. In the U.S., one drop of non-native blood can make someone 'less' native, showing the opposite dynamic between Black and native identity.

How does Apache society traditionally determine who is considered Apache, and how does this differ from American society?

In traditional Apache society, identity follows the mother, meaning if the mother is Apache, her children are unquestionably Apache. However, American society imposes patriarchy over matriarchy, complicating this understanding and introducing divisions based on blood quantum.

Why does the speaker mention their grandfather's reluctance to be seen by other tribe members?

The speaker’s grandfather is uncomfortable with other tribe members seeing his complexion because of the stigma around having African-American ancestry. This illustrates internalized prejudice within the tribe against Black admixture.

What is the speaker’s critique of how the U.S. government handles native identity and rights?

The speaker argues that the U.S. government hopes to dilute native blood over time to erase obligations to meet treaty rights. By erasing native peoples, the government could claim land and resources without honoring existing agreements, undermining native sovereignty and culture.

What does the speaker mean by 'My existence is resistance'?

The speaker’s statement 'My existence is resistance' emphasizes that their survival and continued presence as a native person is an act of defiance against historical and ongoing attempts at erasure. By embracing their native identity and speaking their name, they resist colonialism and oppression.