What is the best way to honor my Native American ancestors? They were Cherokee and Powhatan Indians.?

Question

I recently have learned that my family has Cherokee and Powhatan ancestry. I have been reading different books on both the Cherokees and the Powhatan's and trying to educate myself on what they were like ex: customs, history, etc. but, for starters it's hard to find any good books that go into details before the Trail of Tears or, that teach about the old ways. I know my ancestors want to be honored but, I'm not really sure how to honor them? I do try to take care of the earth and obvious things like that but, I want to delve deeper than that. Where I live I'm very far from any Indian reservations and, I also don't know anyone that is of Native ancestry to ask. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Answer 1

Osiyo Wildwood Flower,

Do Hi Tsu? (How are you?)

If you truly want to learn of your ancestors there are ways.  Reading books is one way, and much better than surfing the internet for the information you are seeking.

I ask you to do one thing.  I am going to post some webpages, I ask that you read them, then email me through my profile...

http://www.coolrogue.net/stories/spiritu...

http://www.coolrogue.net/stories/beingtr...

http://www.coolrogue.net/stories/keeping...

http://www.coolrogue.net/stories/whosetr...

http://www.coolrogue.net/native/seeking....

http://www.coolrogue.net/stories/bloodme...

http://www.coolrogue.net/stories/iam.htm...

I will be happy to discuss with you any questions you have, I can probably suggest some other books to read too.  Finally you may want to join a group my wife has a good group here at Yahoo of Full and Mixed Bloods for sharing our thoughts, experiences etc...

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Tribal_Her...

Yehowa Adolisdi Tohidu (God Bless You and Good Peace)

Answer 2

You are absolutely right.  One of the best ways to honor your heritage is to become educated.  There are MANY contemporary books that can help you with this.   A lot of them are fun reads.  Even contemporary books can help you understand what life was like pre-colonization.  There are also a few books that I know of that directly talk about life pre-colonization, mostly from a women's perspective.  I really enjoyed reading those as well.  

But reading isn't all.  You can't really understand your heritage unless you get involved.  Learn about Native issues today and what they stem from.  Join online Native forums if you have the time.  But mainly find some Natives in your area and hang out.  Just simply hang out.  I haven't found a place yet that didn't have some Natives that got together.  One website that may help you find out whats going on in your area is:

http://www.500nations.com   Go to the US on the top bar.  Then click on your state.

Feel free to email me and we can talk more if you'd like.  I can give you book reccomendations as well.   I am Lakota and Cherokee.  [e-mail]

Answer 3

Check online for sites dealing with the Native nations.  You'll find schools that need books and supplies, clinics that need donations, and other groups that are on-site interacting with the Native people.  These groups need your support.  You can honor the history of your ancestors by helping the future generations.

Answer 4

Work hard, stand tall and speak the truth.

Shoot straight, drive politely and play fair.

Don't say things you don't mean.

Don't make promises you can't keep.

Defend the Bill of Rights in its entirety, not just one ammendment.

Help those who are poorer / weaker / less educated / children / aged.

Do what is right, not what is easy.

Accept other people's religions as valid paths if you expect them to accept yours as a valid path. No one has a monopoly on truth.

Learn to speak Cherokee. You may be able to buy lessons on tape or CD.

Some of these would make your ancestors proud of you even if you were not Native American, you'll note.

Answer 5

about 5 years ago in my area they started having a POW WOW in my area with most of the tribes in attendance and told about their heritage at that time.

their must be a place on line to find if its in your area and i think you know where to find it.

good luck.

Answer 6

One of the things that the Cherokee believe in is that if we listen, our ancestors will guide us and lead us to what we need to do. You say you want to honor your ancestors, if that is so then have you asked them to guide you? I think you might be suprised. Your ancestors will know what you need to do to honor them. My Grandfather used to tell me that the most important thing that I could do to honor him is to be proud of who I am and from where I come from. Books can give you history, but remember that most books have been written by the ones who have conquerored us. They do no tell the full truth and never will. If you want to learn the full true history of our people then you must make contact with local Cherokee and Powhatan in your area and talk to the elders. Our history is a living history passed from one generation to the next by our elders. Our ancestors are our teachers and what they teach us will never be found in a book. Our history is in our blood and we do not forget. Ask your ancestors to come to you and guide you.