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.

Outlines

00:00

🌿 Embracing My Native Identity Amidst Misunderstandings

The speaker, identifying as Apache but noting the government’s mispronunciation of 'Dził Łigai N'dee,' reflects on how others often perceive their engagement with their culture as a choice rather than an inherent part of daily life. They feel uncomfortable when people praise them for participating in their culture because it implies that this connection is optional. They express preference for the term 'native' over 'Native American' and reject the term 'American Indian.' For them, being indigenous is deeply tied to their relationship with the land, which forms a core part of their identity. However, living in a city brings daily reminders of their people's erasure, including encounters with those who assume Native Americans no longer exist.

05:02

⚖️ Natives Viewed as Property and Monitored Like Animals

The speaker shares experiences of being objectified and treated as less than human. They recount disturbing encounters, including a man who expressed a desire to mistreat them, harkening back to past oppressive behaviors. They compare the treatment of Native Americans to animals, pointing out how their blood quantum is tracked, something typically only done for animals like dogs and horses. Blood quantum, a divisive system, is used to quantify and validate one's 'nativeness,' forcing Native Americans to prove their identity. This system fosters competition among natives, leading to harmful comparisons about who is more authentic, something the speaker once engaged in.

🍕 Blood Quantum and the Division of Identity

Through the metaphor of a pizza, the speaker explains the concept of blood quantum, illustrating how they are classified as '28 slices Apache.' This system of proving one’s native heritage divides Native communities and causes internal strife. The speaker reflects on how blood quantum can become a point of pride or oppression, especially when compared to the 'one drop rule' used to marginalize Black people. In contrast, any dilution in native blood is used to delegitimize one’s identity, creating a system where mixed-race natives, especially those with Black ancestry, are seen as less authentic.

👩‍👧 Matriarchy and Patriarchy in Apache Culture

The speaker discusses traditional Apache societal norms, where identity is passed down matrilineally. Children are recognized as Apache if their mother is, regardless of blood quantum. However, American systems impose a patriarchal structure that undermines these traditions. The speaker humorously questions how a small degree of blood quantum, like their sisters being short 1/16 of a degree, could possibly diminish one’s nativeness. They reflect on the complexities of being mixed race, which is common in their tribe, but the presence of Black ancestry brings additional stigma.

🚪 Family Shame Over Mixed-Race Heritage

The speaker shares a personal story about their grandfather, who hides when other tribe members visit, out of shame for his darker complexion and Black heritage. This reluctance to acknowledge African ancestry stems from internalized stigma and fear of judgment within the Native community. Despite this, the speaker boldly asserts their own mixed heritage, recognizing that acknowledging it won’t change the reality but is a form of personal resistance against the system.

🛡️ The Fight to Preserve Native Identity and Sovereignty

The speaker emphasizes the U.S. government's long-term goal of eliminating native populations by allowing blood quantum to dilute over time, which would relieve them of treaty obligations tied to land and resources. This is seen as a calculated method of erasing Native Americans. The speaker stresses the importance of sovereignty, land rights, and cultural continuity, noting that these issues are central to Native survival. They highlight how their continued existence and resistance to erasure are acts of defiance against colonial forces.

🎓 Decolonization as a Lifelong Journey

In this paragraph, the speaker reflects on the ongoing process of decolonization, comparing it to grieving or dealing with loss. They discuss the progress made by Native communities in reclaiming language and ancestral lands, but acknowledge that this process is far from complete. The speaker tries to educate others about the significance of their Native American name, which may not hold the romanticized image portrayed by Hollywood, but represents their family’s survival against colonization, disease, and religious conversion. For the speaker, simply stating their name is an act of resistance and a symbol of their resilience.

Keywords

💡Culture

Culture refers to the beliefs, customs, arts, and other attributes of a particular society or social group. In the video, the individual expresses discomfort with the notion of 'deciding' to be part of their culture, as it implies a choice rather than an inherent part of their identity, which they live every day.

💡Native

The term 'native' is used to describe individuals who are born in a particular place or have ancestry from that place. The speaker prefers 'native' over 'Native American' because it emphasizes their intrinsic connection to their homeland, which is a central theme in the video.

💡Indigenous

Indigenous refers to people who are the original inhabitants of a particular place. The video highlights the importance of being indigenous as it signifies a deep, interconnected relationship with the land, which is integral to the identity of the speaker's people.

💡Blood Quantum

Blood quantum is a concept used to determine the degree of Native American ancestry of an individual. The speaker uses the metaphor of a pizza to illustrate their own blood quantum and criticizes the practice as a tool for dividing Native people and legitimizing their oppression.

💡Erosion

Erosion, in the context of the video, refers to the gradual disappearance or weakening of Native American identity and rights. The speaker discusses how the American government aims to dilute native bloodlines to weaken treaty rights and claims to land and resources.

💡Sovereignty

Sovereignty is the power of a state to govern itself or the self-governing status of a group. The video emphasizes the importance of Native American sovereignty, including their claim to land, culture, and resources.

💡Decolonization

Decolonization is the process of undoing the effects of colonization. The speaker mentions decolonization as an ongoing process within their community, which includes reclaiming their language and living on ancestral lands.

💡Matriarchy

Matriarchy is a social system in which women hold the primary power. The video discusses how, traditionally in Apache society, one's identity follows the mother's lineage, contrasting with the American context where patriarchy often prevails.

💡Mixed Race

Mixed race refers to individuals who have ancestors from more than one racial or ethnic group. The speaker discusses being mixed race as a common experience in their tribe, with a particular emphasis on the unusual mix of African-American heritage.

💡Resilience

Resilience is the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties. The speaker's name, Skiumtalx, symbolizes the resilience of their family and people, having survived diseases, colonization, and other forms of oppression.

💡Resistance

Resistance is the act of opposing or fighting against something. The video concludes with the speaker asserting that their very existence and the act of stating their native name is an act of resistance against erasure and oppression.

Highlights

The speaker identifies as Apache, though acknowledges that 'Apache' is the government's name, with the traditional name being 'Dził Łigai N'dee.'

The speaker finds it strange when others praise them for 'choosing' to embrace their culture because, for them, it's not a choice—it's an everyday way of life.

The term 'native' is preferred by the speaker over 'Native American,' while they reject the term 'American Indian.'

The speaker emphasizes the deep, interconnected relationship between being indigenous and the land, noting its importance in shaping their identity.

Being native in a city reminds the speaker of their people's erasure and the notion that many people no longer acknowledge the existence of Native Americans.

The speaker shares an experience of an older white man making a disturbing comment, implying that Native people were once treated as property, like animals.

They critique the monitoring of Native Americans' 'blood quantum,' comparing it to how dogs and horses' lineage is tracked, emphasizing the dehumanizing nature of this practice.

The speaker explains the concept of 'blood quantum' with a metaphor, likening it to slices of pizza and revealing their own '28 slices' of Apache ancestry.

They criticize the practice of requiring Native Americans to prove their 'nativeness' through Indian cards, which serves to divide the community.

The speaker discusses how black and native identities are handled differently in the U.S., where one drop of black blood makes someone 'black,' but one drop of something else diminishes native identity.

Traditional Apache society follows matrilineal descent, but the speaker highlights how patriarchy in American society undermines this tradition.

The speaker shares a personal story about their grandfather’s discomfort with his own complexion and the taboo surrounding African ancestry within the tribe.

They highlight the systemic efforts to erase native populations over time through the dilution of bloodlines, which would eventually relieve the government of treaty obligations.

The speaker asserts that native sovereignty, land rights, and cultural preservation are crucial, and that these claims can be lost if not actively upheld.

They discuss the ongoing process of decolonization, likening it to grief and loss, and emphasizing the need for continuous efforts.

The speaker concludes with the powerful statement that their name, which may not be romanticized by Hollywood, represents the survival of their family and culture. Saying their native name, Skiumtalx, is itself an act of resistance.

Transcripts

I’m Apache, but really that’s the government’s name,

because they can’t say “Dził Łigai N'dee.”

They will tell me how awesome they

think it is that I’ve decided to be a part of my culture.

And it’s funny to me.

It hits me really weird, and I don’t like it.

And I didn’t know why at first, but it’s

because I haven’t decided to be a part of my culture.

I live it every day.

I’m more comfortable with the term “native,” divorced

from “Native American.”

I know there are people who use “indigenous.”

If there is one term I do not like to be called,

it is “American Indian.”

And for me, to be indigenous is to have

an intimate and interconnected relationship to a homeland.

And so that’s really important, because land is, you know,

tied to every aspect of who we are.

Being native in a city is almost a daily reminder

of your people’s erasure. Of the fact

that people don’t even remember that you’re here

and that you exist.

But what I did encounter was just this preconceived notion

that all Native Americans are dead.

I’ve had older white men come up to me

and say, “Oh, man, if this was 40 years ago,

I could just do whatever I wanted to you.”

You know, the cattle outside doing

the work and the dog inside the house, those are property.

Those are the black folks in America.

They are property to white men.

Then the exotic antelope on the wall or the exotic —

that’s how natives are perceived in America.

We’re treated like animals.

They monitor our blood quantum.

I mean, besides dogs and horses,

I don’t know of any other animal

that they monitor the blood quantum.

The way I explain it to people is,

imagine a pizza with different slices,

and let’s say 32 slices.

Of the 32 slices, I’m 28 Apache.

That’s my particular blood quantum.

And Native Americans in the U.S. are the only minority group

who have to prove their nativeness on an Indian card.

It’s used to divide native people against each other,

because it can be used as a way to say,

I am more native than you.

And I was a part of that, too.

I used my 4 fourths to kind of make myself feel better

against other people.

The one drop rule, meaning that one drop of black blood

makes you black, that was to keep as many people oppressed

or legitimize their oppression as possible.

But on the other side, one drop of anything else

completely dilutes you as a native person.

So if you’re a native person,

you have the one drop of something else,

then suddenly you’re less native.

So it’s the opposite.

Traditionally, within the Apache society, you go by the mother.

And if the mother is recognized as Apache, she has her clan,

the children are unquestionably Apache.

Not in the American context, not when

patriarchy trumps matriarchy.

So what does that mean?

My sisters are short 1/16 of a degree.

What does that mean?

Does it mean their pinkies aren’t Apache?

What does that mean?

You know, being a mixed race person is

a whole other side of it, but that’s

a very common experience in our tribe.

So it’s not as if we’re unusual in that way.

What is unusual is the admixture of black.

My grandfather actually doesn’t want people —

if he hears that somebody from the tribe is coming over,

he won’t come out of his room.

Because he doesn’t want them to know that he’s that complexion,

that he doesn’t —

I guess he doesn’t want me to be affiliated with having

African-American blood.

But I mean, I say it.

It’s not going to change anything.

If it were up to the American government,

natives wouldn’t be around.

Because after a certain time, that blood will dilute.

It will go out.

And so if there’s no native peoples to provide benefits,

then we’re not obligated to meet these treaty rights.

And if we’re not obligated to meet these treaty contracts,

then the land is available, the resources are available.

And I think that that essential point

about our claim to sovereignty, our claim to land,

our claim to a culture, our claim to resources

is one that gets lost if we don’t insist upon the fact

that we are nations.

And we have taken huge steps to decolonizing,

and that proof comes from people being

able to have the opportunities to speak their language,

to be on their ancestral land.

But the thing with decolonization

is that it’s an ongoing process, just like grieving,

just like any loss.

As much as possible now, I try to tell people

that I have a Native American name,

and maybe it doesn’t mean anything to you,

but it means everything to me.

My name, maybe, doesn’t have a romanticized, Hollywood Indian

name, but my name has more meaning than that.

My name means that my family survived.

My family survived disease.

My family survived Catholicism.

My family survived settler colonialism, and my family,

they survived.

I survived.

My existence is resistance.

Me saying my name is Skiumtalx,

that is resistance in and of itself.