Writing Raven from "Alaska Real"-- Real Native Myths and Legends #4

Here is the next installment in the important series by "Alaska Real" blogger Writing Raven. Raven will be blogging with me from the Democratic National Convention in Denver and will provide a much-needed viewpoint from one of Alaska's First People.


Indians and Eskimos

Indian. Eskimo. Native American. Tribe. Clan. People group. First Nations. First Peoples. American Indian. Indigenous. It's dang confusing sometimes, I know, and I've grown up with all these terms. I have some sympathy for every (non-Native) friend I've ever had who has worked up to (usually unsure of how to approach it) asking me, "So… what do you call yourself?"

There are actually many different forms of this question, but it boils down to, "How on earth do I say what you are?" I know there are those who will argue we should be "color-blind" and not look at a person's culture. I disagree. I think we should honor and celebrate a person's culture, we would be robbing them of a huge part of who they are not to – we just don't have to judge a person by their culture. It's also just a reality – having to define someone's background is not going anywhere.

Kind of reminds me of a discussion I had about this topic in high school, and my "African-American" friend was asked how to address his race. He said, "We're 'Black' now. But I'll let you know if it changes."

If you ask the government, they would consider me from the "Indian" people group (as opposed to "Eskimo" or "Aleut". On a federal document I am "American Indian or Alaska Native." On my Certificate of Indian Blood, I am from the Tlingit "tribe."

If you ask me, I will tell you I am Tlingit or Alaska Native, depending on where I am and who you are. I will not say the Tlingit tribe – no such thing. There's also no "Tlingit Nation". I won't tell you I am Indian – as far as I'm concerned, Indians are from India. I won't tell you I'm Native American, and I won't tell you what tribe I'm from – as far as I know, I have no tribe.

Much of the problem stems from trying to group an entire continent's worth of culture into one identifiable group. Even here in Alaska, the cultures are incredibly diverse. I have a Yup'ik friend that I share values and experiences with as an Alaska Native woman, but when it comes to so many other cultural values, she seems to be speaking another language (though, often times, she quite literally IS speaking
another language.)

There is also the problem of Native people only just being able to define how they were called by the general public in the last generation or two, and so it seems quite changeable, and no two people agree on the perfect way yet.

Last year at the World Eskimo Indian Olympics (WEIO,) one of the assistants came to get our dance group, "We need the Indian groups!" A dozen sets of furrowed brows and he quickly answered, "Hey, if I have to be Eskimo, you have to be Indian!" Fair enough. Point is, even our own institutions are outdated in the terms we use.

But all the background and why and how aside, there still remains the issue of, "What do I call you?"

The simplest answer I can say is, "Just ask."

I have often wondered if this is not a very "polite" thing to do outside of Alaska Native cultures. Maybe the sensitivities of being PC or a Western etiquette – but generally when I am asked it is with an embarrassed tone, usually an apology. A "I'm sorry if this is rude, but…" Recently, a friend of mine described a non-Native woman who was offended when a Native woman asked her race.

Although I am generally loathe to group such diverse cultures into one "group think," my own experiences in my culture and other Native cultures in the state is that the first thing you want to do is get to know someone's background. As an example, a dialogue of me meeting another Native person:

"Nice to meet you – so where are you from?"

"Akiachak."

"That by Fairbanks?"

"Bethel area."

"Cool – you know John James?"

"Yeah, he's my cousin."

"Sweet."

And we switch. I threw in my own lack of geographical awareness in there for realism. But basically, I now know where he's from (and can deduce his 'people group' from that,) and who his general family is. Actually, if it were really real, we would find out all the different people we know and/or are related to in common. Many times we will ask and talk directly about what racial background we are from.

In short, the "polite" or friendly thing to do in the culture I know is to introduce and let your own background be known. Many Native people who are born in urban areas will identify themselves as being "from" whatever village or rural area their family is from. I was delighted to meet a man "from Klawock" last Summer, very near where I was born, but then he said, "Oh – but I've never been there." I have a feeling as more and more Native people are born in Anchorage, this will become even more common.

I believe the Tlingit people have elevated introductions to an art. My Yup'ik friend is fond of telling me that "Tlingits complicate everything!" Maybe true, but there are some pretty solid reasons behind it.

Do you know that scene in "Lord of the Rings," where the trees are talking amongst themselves all day, and when they finally talk to the Hobbits, you find they've only just introduced themselves? I believe that this must have been based off of a traditional Tlingit celebration. You introduce pretty much your whole background and
genealogy. Basically, when I begin my speech, you should know my name (or names,) my parents, my teachers, my grandparents and great-grandparents, my moiety, clan and sub-clans, where I am from – or my family is from, and where I live now. And that's the short version.

Although I cannot tell you what all Native people would like to be referred to as – even between my siblings and I this would vary – I can tell you it doesn't hurt to ask. Of course, basic politeness applies here too. I don't suggest a "So what's your racial make-up?" or questions at times that would be ethically inappropriate - job
interview anyone?

A few tips:

-Start with asking where they are from. It wouldn't hurt if you knew
(in general) where people groups were from.

- Don't ask anyone if they are "Eskimo." Really. I mean it. The few people who are okay with being identified by others as such will let you know in good time, but this will lose you more respect than it will gain. And don't assume because one person of that background prefers to be called "Eskimo" the next is. A friend and I will joke around, calling each other "Eskimo" and "Indian," but I made a mistake thinking I could joke like that with another coworker - she did NOT appreciate being called Eskimo, although from the same background as my friend.

- As an Alaska Native person, the above also applies to the word "Indian." From what I understand, in the Lower 48 this can be a pretty common identifier, but not so popular up here.

- Don't attach a "tribe," "clan," "nation" or other grouping word when asking. I get asked a lot if I am from the Tlingit tribe, or what tribe I am from. Federally, this is correct. There are people groups in the U.S. which embrace the word. But no Tlingit person I know identifies themselves this way. Likewise, there is no Tlingit clan. I DO belong to a clan, as well as a house and a moiety, but the same will not be true of every Alaska Native culture.

Basically, just see how the person identifies themselves, and treat them with respect. You do not have to do things "traditionally" - most Native people do not address or introduce traditionally, unless in a formal setting, and do not expect that of you. But to "gain friends and influence Native people," showing a respect for their individuality as a person, and within a culture, will go far.

--Writing Raven