Don't know about where you are....but here in the Northeast...the full bloods are afraid of us mixed bloods. It's quite a tense reality with much suspision about mixed blood people and their intentions. There's alot of 'new age' stuff and cultural theft which doesn't make it any better, as well as alot of those plastic shaman type people...they make it really hard for the rest of us. Although I am mixed blood, the Mi'kmaq people are very inclusive of all their relations, so I don't feel that as intensely as perhaps other mixed blood people...but for sure I have had my moments of having to prove myself above and beyond what is really necessary. My husband is a blood chief and sachem/sagamor, a member of the Wabanaki confederacy Grand Council and even that has afforded me no special province in terms of full blood people. Blood Quantum is a very tense and polarizing issue in the States because the Government is using it to perpetuate genocide on the people. It's all about your quantum as to who is Indian and who is not, despite the fact that my family and Elders in the community recognize me as Mi'kmaq. A couple of good books on the subject are: Blood Struggle: The BIA and the Rise of Modern Indian Nations and the following paper:

www.manataka.org/page1965.html.

This will give you a good idea of how the issues of quantum and casino politics are being used to continue the war of genocide on the people.
Me? I don't care...I refuse to be defined by a government number that amounts to nothing more than the branding that was used on the jewish peoples during WW2...I am recognized by my ancestors, my family, and Elders within my ancestral community...is all that matters. And it still astound me that we are the only ethnic group in America that is required to register and carry a card to PROVE who we are!~

JMTC~

i whole heartedly agree there nanci--

california is a bit different in its issues. there is a lot of support from the tribes. if you were on the california judgement, you are indian. thats all. theres no blood quantum issues among the people, but i can see, if we get recognition, that implies casino, that these issues will come up. (further division issues) we're getting close to resolution (though i've heard this my whole life!). hopefully, federal funding will assist many of my relatives. as things roll along, i hope to engage more fully with this endeavor, and soon!

www.sacbee.com/101/story/534507.html