"My father and mother are Indians, my father's father and mother's mother were Indians and their parents and grandparents were Indians. What else could I be?" -- Adolph L. Dial
Recently I have been researching the history of the Lumbee tribe. I came across a site that discussed the political history of the tribe. (To view website click here) I was appalled at the actions of the Bureau of Indian affairs. The Bureau of Indian Affairs had anthropologists "sent to determine the racial ancestry and degree of "Indian blood" of Robeson's Indians." The anthropologist that was sent, Carl Seltizer, used the so-called "pencil test" to determine if people were "Indian" or not. He placed a pencil in a person's head, if when shaking there head it fell out then they were not considered "Indian." "Out of 209 Lumbee individuals tested , only 22 were considered Lumbee." I do not understand how the consistency of someones hair determines ones ethnicity.
The BIA (Bureau of Indian Affairs) was designed to be the mediator between the government and the different Native American tribes. I do not understand how they would deny a tribe there rights when the BIA is suppose to be wanting to support the Native American community.
The Bureau of Indian Affairs has really hindered the progress of the Lumbee tribe. If I am not Native American than what am I??
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4 comments:
This idea of the "pencil test" is completely ridiculous to me. The idea that you can determine whether a person is Native American by the texture of their hair is appalling. Yes, maybe some Native Americans do have coarse hair; but generations down it changes. The fact that the
BIA would do this is upsetting. I liked the way you addressed this issue in the context of an organization that is supposed to support Native Americans. However, is one of the bigger acts of discrimination or what? I am looking forward to what else there is about the tribe.
angilman, i completely agree that the different textures of hair varies from family to family...This is not a major discrimination act towards the Lumbee but is something that has aided in the struggle that the Lumbee face today concerning federal recognition. These minors acts have affected the history behind the Lumbee tribe such as evidence of the existence of Lumbee people in North Carolina.
I also believe this "pencil test" is ludicrous. What percentage of your heritage (25, 10, 50, 75, etc.) do you have to be to be considered Native American? Also, I have a general question about the words 'Indian' and 'Native American'. I have been taught that Indian is for describing people from India and it is a racial slur to call Native Americans this. Have you been taught differently? I would like to know from a Lumbee Tribe member if you do know.
Healthy Lungs, to be considered Native American the majority of tribes determine ethnicity by the degree of Indian blood. Different tribe have different degrees. For the Lumbee tribe, one of the parents have to have a certificate of Indian blood. To refer to your other question it is true that the term "Indian" does refer to the people of India. Personally, I refer to myself as Native American. Most Native American tribes will refer to themselves as "Native American" but i have never heard the term "Indian" being a racial slur. For me personally, I do not think that it is but for other people and tribes it may be.
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