Yesterday I found myself bored. I got to thinking about what I "needed" to be doing. I've never been really good at just chilling, so I hit the internet. I decided to look up the Choctaw Indian Nation. This is a part of my genetic heritage that I have always been fascinated with, but never really researched it. I found a contact number for Tribal Membership and called. The wonderful lady on the line listened to my take on my heritage and walked me through what I need to do to get my and my family put on the roll and issued "cards". A CDIB or "Certificate of Degree of Indian Blood" is the golden ticket. This little card is issued to anyone who can directly trace their lineage back to an original Dawes Rolls signee, which my Great Grandmother is on. This can mean many benefits, including college scholarships, medical benefits, and others neat things. Not be mention, me and my children can participate in Tribal ceremonies and attend Tribal events that are otherwise closed to the public. I hope to also process this for my sister and her kids so maybe she can get some help for her son who has some health issues that their insurance isn't paying out for.
Back in October of 1997, we were in Lindsborg, Kansas for the Svensk Hyllingsfest. This is a huge community event celebrating Swedish heritage, which my husband embraces. There were some Indian dancers who performed, and after the dance, the leader came up to me and my infant daughter and asked me what our tribal affiliation was. Somehow he knew. I was thrown back. In the near future, I hope to finally have that "official" affiliation I've waited so long for.
On the road again....
10 years ago
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