We make very few posts here at The Rural Democrat as our interest in politics has wained over the last few months but we feel that we can still reach people on subjects that we feel are important. One such subject that we have been passionate about over the years is Native American heritage in Kentucky.
I have worked in the Kentucky Native American community for near a decade and I can tell you it is nothing as it seems when one initially finds their Native American heritage. People instantly transform into a pseudo Hollywood speaking John Wayne movie Indian. Then the danger begins as a person is vulnerable to many deceptions during their first 2 or 3 years after they find their Native American bloodline.
The number one danger is accepting an abdominal, twisted, and hybrid religion that mixes many pagan elements and, usually, Christianity. I will reveal something personal; I left the Native American community for many reasons but one reason near the top was the mixing of paganism and Christianity. I never accepted it over the doctrine of the Holy Bible, I just didn't know enough about the Bible to realize that I was doing something wrong.
There are hundreds of rituals and ceremonial dribble that accompanies many so-called Native American ceremonies. Sadly, these rituals often misrepresent the true nature of Native American religious practices because most so-called tribes, especially in Kentucky and Tennessee, are simply wannabes who present themselves as authentic ambassadors of the Native American community. It took me years to realize that fact and it is a disservice to the real Indians. I stand today, and this will surprise a lot of people, against any recognition of any so-called State Tribal entities that would allow them to drain benefits from the real Native American communities. I now stand against this because of my experience. The Ridgetop Shawnee Tribe of Indians "was" by far the most sucessful attempt to establish a Native American community in Kentucky in our 200+ year history as a Commonwealth and that entity was disolved because of wannabe politics and religious conflicts.
But one warning that must be relayed to all who wish to explore their Native American heritage; stay away from Tribes or Heritage Groups, at least until you can educate yourself with regard to the pit-falls associated with these groups. I am not dogging everyone involved with these groups. There are many well-meaning individuals who work very hard to educate our children with regard to Native American heritage. One ovbious red-flag that all individuals must recognize is groups that ask for your money.
We now call on all groups, tribes, and members of the Kentucky Native American Heritage Commission to withdraw any legislation that would establish any form of state recognition. We will publish a series of articles in the future with regard to; what is tribal recognition, the goals of recognition, and many more important subjects associated with state tribal recognition.
