Okay, so I am truly an extreme ethnic mix and I don’t identify as a single ethnicity. I check every box that applies (about four). I am part native canadian but don’t have the certification because my grandmother lost the papers. However I have worked on another tribal reservation almost all my life.
I am pretty familiar with the culture/customs (stories, ceremonies, culture) of the tribe I have grown up with (but not my own). I also do not look THAT native, but could pass because I am a really mixed person.
The admissions committee knows I am a mix, but still invited me. I just don’t want to go to the fly-in program and have people judge me because I don’t look that native or know about my own “biological” tribe.
Should I inquire to the admissions committee? Or just not attend?
If I were in your shoes, I’d call up the person who issued the invitation, and explain your situation honestly. See what he or she says, and then decide.
It’s not unusual to not have an official tribal affiliation, IMHO.
Several tribes disappeared because of disease and European aggression, land appropriation, etc. and/or were incorporated into those that survived. Further, casinos and other economic development within some tribes have led to sharp divisions in tribes that want to protect their economic interests, which has led to some very stringent tests of ethnicity by tribes.
Alternately, the US government has allowed as of (I believe) the 2010 census to allow people to self-identify their ethnic backgrounds, no longer forcing people to be ashamed of or to hide their full ethnic heritage, including Native American.
My feeling is that this is complicated area, you are being truthful, you have been truthful, and you should go on the tour.
Rest assured, no school would accept a student regardless of his or her background if that school felt the student would not thrive there. They want you. They think you can do well there. They are asking you out to woo you so that you choose them.
Go on the trip and see if you like them as much as they like you. That’s all that’s important here.
Glad you decided to accept. It seems to me that you have a stronger affiliation with the Native American community than others who may have papers in perfect order but have not grown up knowing the traditions. And you are correct – since you were honest in your application you have nothing to be concerned about. Enjoy.
I was under the impression that the indigenous Canadian tribes did not count for US colleges, only those wholly or partly within US borders. My kids are 1/16 and they did not check, mostly because we don’t identify at all, but also because my grandmother’s tribe was middle of BC.
