As in days of older times, many has assumed by watching many many western movies and TV shows that all Native people look the same.. Reddish brown to chocolate coloured skin, high cheek bones, long reddish brown to jet black hair, all would supposedly had to have brown eyes unless they were mixed bloods.. no such thing as a blue eyed Indian eh? would have to be a half breed..
Now that is established.. What about people like Iron Eyes Cody? or Jay Silverheels? Chuck Conners? and last but not least, Richard Harris.
Jay Silverheels was Canadian Native and Iron Eyes was an Italian by birth, Chuck Conners was an American who actually was of Cherokee decent and Richard Harris was an Englishman.
I gave these examples to prove a point here.
Jay Silverheels who played "Tonto" in the original Lone Ranger, was a Canadian Indian and had all the features before mentioned except for long hair.
Iron Eyes Cody was believed to be the exact image of everything a real life (for- real Indian) should be and look like... Yet, he was an Italian with an Indian heart (What we as Natives call a true Red-Heart).
Chuck Conners played for years "The Rifleman" and then he starred as Geronimo, but with the brightest blue eyes.. did that make him a mixed blood? or not a real Indian?
Richard Harris was a real Englishman born and bred.. But in real life and through his acting in the series "A Man Called Horse, Triumph of a Man Called Horse, and Return of a Man Called Horse" He had developed before and after such a deep respect and understanding of the Native way, that in the actual filming of the series that he actually went through the sacred "Sun Dance" ceremony and made sure that Hollywood did not mock or dishonour the story that was presented on film.
There was so many countless others, that could be mentioned as differences in looks and actual bloods.
But the point being made is that we the race of true Original Peoples called "Native Americans" as with any other race do come in all shades of colour, shapes, forms and fashions and all do not fit the "stereo-type" one tries to fit a single person into that of a certain race, be it of full-bloods or mixed. And it is NOT what one looks like on the outside anyway that makes one a true Native, but what matters on the
inside again in all races not just a American Indian.
There is a hateful, disrespectful saying that speaks volumes of truth even as bad as it is with Native Americans.. When one is called an "Apple" red on the outside and white on the outside. It speaks of where a Native born has left the ways of ones spiritual beliefs and up bringing, to walk away from the red-road of the Ancestors teachings that walked before us.
Once again it comes to what is in ones heart and attitude and beliefs on how to walk on this Earth among other human beings.
It must be said here, it has been that "Mixed-Bloods" and yes, even non-natives have been proven to be the back-bones of most the Native cultures. Because so many do fight harder at the preservation of the cultures and heritages, while others just sit back on their haunches complaining and bickering and fighting among themselves. Instead of unifying and realizing all will be lost if we do not wake up! Just because one is of the blood, does not mean passing down knowledge to others is wrong. That hoop was broken long ago, when most of the oldest ones of the multi- Nations made their final journeys already.
The simple path of the "Red-Road" that we as Natives have followed and walked has been a physical and spiritual calling, and for so many of other races because it is just that.. a path of truth and simplicity. No doctrines, no rules or regulations.. But to..
Simply do the very best one can humanly possible and to do so without intentional harm to yourself or others be it human or animal.Only take what one needs and never in excess or greed.. replace and give back, never keep on take, take, take and expect it all to still be there and never run dry or be out of abundance.
Keep clean the Mother Earth, do not pollute it with filth and trash of any kind.
Respect for Respect be it human or animal.These is the ways of the old ones who walked before us and before them and before them into infinity.
Hopefully, this will help one understand a little better of my race and how we try to walk among others. That is one of many reasons why we have never understood why we were forced to carry a little piece of talking leaves paper to say what we are and believe. It has never made sense or reason even to present day.
Did not even another race of human beings have to wear a yellow star on their clothing and also carry talking leaves paper to say who and what they were? What is this idea and purpose to be counted as cattle for slaughter?
Are we not ALL human beings created by the same Creator?
Yes, it brings forth many questions and very few answers. But one physical proof to add to the ways to recognize a Native I left out.. a sure fire way to tell if one is of Native American decent, Mongolian decent is the way a Forensic Pathologist automatically can tell...
If the teeth in a human skull is "Shovelled Teeth"..That is where the teeth starts at the gum level and curves back towards the back of the mouth towards the tongue. Alive, you can do this test.. run your tongue from your gums, up the back of your teeth and feel if they curve, especially at the tip of your teeth..Now, look in a mirror at your face.. what colour skin are you? what colour is your eyes? do you have high cheek bones? what colour is your hair and how long is it? what is in your heart? what road/pathway in life do you follow in this life?
ShaunaSay WhiteFeather
