#native identity

An open letter to State Governors & Legislatures

1 so far! Help us get to 5 signers!

I am writing to express profound concerns about the continued reliance on Blood Quantum Laws, or Indian Blood Laws, in Native Reparations Programs. These laws, established by federal and state governments as far back as 1705, define Native American status based on fractions of Native American ancestry, perpetuating harmful consequences for tribal communities and some, alarmingly, terminating before just 5 generations.

The use of Blood Quantum Laws has led to detrimental effects on Native American families and communities. It has incentivized harmful family planning practices, compelling individuals to marry within close kin networks to maintain "pure bloodlines." This practice not only violates individual autonomy but also jeopardizes genetic diversity and the long-term viability of tribal populations.

Of utmost concern is the declining population within many tribal communities, with some nearing critical thresholds of fewer than 1000 individuals. This situation is further exacerbated by the principles of population biology, particularly the 50/500 rule, which underscores the need for a minimum population of 500 individuals to reduce genetic drift and ensure sustained viability. It is troubling to note that these laws inadvertently encourage cousin marriages, posing additional risks to community health and resilience.

Moreover, Blood Quantum Laws impose an arbitrary expiration date on government-funded reparations and jeopardize the cultural continuity of these communities. By tethering Native American status to ancestry thresholds, these laws undermine the diversity and autonomy of tribal enrollment criteria.

I urge policymakers to urgently reconsider the use of Blood Quantum Laws in Native Reparations Programs and advocate for a more inclusive and sustainable approach to reparations. This approach should prioritize the cultural and social integrity of Native American communities, safeguarding their continued existence and resilience for future generations.

Our villages were razed by colonizers, our ancestors were genocide survivors, and, as ever, our children bear the enduring impacts of historical injustices.

Thank you for considering these critical issues and taking decisive action to address them.

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my ethnicity and culture plays a role in that .

“When I explain to people what those murals are, then I’m talking about my background, I’m talking about Hopi, and even where the murals come from, how they came to be, and how this particular village was destroyed during the Pueblo Revolt, that kind of thing… because my paintings contain the history of my people. I still work within the Hopi culture but I put my own angle on it.” – Linda Lomahaftewa, Hopi/Choctaw artist and educator, P. 128.

Douglas Miles is an Akimel O’Odham/Apache artist who lives on the San Carlos reservation in eastern Arizona. Miles creates graphic and graffiti inspired work. Miles created Apache Skateboards and has collaborated with many young artists to expand his outreach into many different media including film, photography, skate-park design, shoes, and clothing. – Summarized from Barry Ace, p. 144.

Image 1: Left: Linda Lomahaftewa, “Crescent Moon XIV” (detail), 1999, Monotype, 15”x11”  Right: Douglas Miles, “D-Fence” (detail), 2006, White picket fence, spray paint, 58”x45”

Image description: Left: Bright red mountain with spiral and four-legged animal against the dark blue night sky with a crescent moon. Right: Image of two indigenous men spray painted on a white picket fence with three helicopters on the left and a group of women on the right with texts written.

Image 2: Front cover

Image description: Abstract image with the title

I have just added 21 more books to my resource list on native readings. Including books by LGBT authors and quite a few books on indigenous feminism 

I’m actually not sure? Though I wouldn’t be surprised if it was common, especially in that time period where Natives were facing dangers like having their children stolen from them and other issues. Natives hiding their heritages would make sense if they were trying to protect themselves and their families.

On the other hand, it could’ve been something done by government officials in an attempt to reduce the number of people who have claim to Native land, since that’s been a main goal of the US and Canadian governments since these “great nations” were founded.