BLACK HISTORY MONTH
By Nechelle Laferriere

So often history is omitted or whitewashed and it leaves its descendants in the dark of their lineage. That is until one gets lost enough to then start asking for directions. Black History is just that, a road map to new discoveries of one’s identity, uncharted territories, and unrecognized tribes. Though the story of the black man likes to begin with the white man, it often skips over the black man and the Native or tries to pit the two against each other.
The Black Native part of history is not taught though it would give a lot of insight to the coined phrase “you got Indian in your family” lol. This phrase though misguided and somewhat problematic is one most black people grew up hearing. It’s referred in the black community to a person that has a longer looser texture of hair or ambiguous features of beauty; therefore, suggesting a native relative from way back must be the cause. But no one ever investigates, no one traces the family tree back to see if in fact someone was native. No one wants to go back too far because no one wants to hear another slave story.
Unfortunately, we as African-Americans try to distant ourselves from our ancestors that were stolen from their land because of the pain and trauma it holds. But one cannot deny or dispute our past no matter how removed we would want to be from it. The same goes for the Black Native story, it is one that is untold because of its troubling history. Still it is a story that must be told because it involves a people that must be heard.
I will briefly share of the twos history and crossing of paths. There were 5 tribes called the 5 Civilized Tribes the Muscogee (Creek) Tribe, the Choctaw Tribe, the Cherokee Tribe, the Chickasaw Tribe, and the Seminole Tribe. These tribes were the first nations that were forced to adapt their way of life to that of the colonists. This resulted in these 5 tribes having to own slaves to limit alliances being formed to help runaway slaves. Through the history of Native’s owning slaves to then offering tribal affiliation to the free slave to then intermarriage gave birth to the Black Native.
The Black Native identity is real and their stories matter to Native history and to Black history. Black Natives have contributed to both black and Native cultures and advancements. Recognizing the Black Native before us gives understanding and value to the Black Native with us.
BLACK NATIVES YESTERDAY
Black Natives before us had to endure a very different racial climate as well as racial acceptance from the Native community, black community, and white community. Being black or Native then did not come with the same celebration or pride as it does today. To be a minority especially black and or Native then was to be more hated, to be put in more danger, to be given more hardship, and to shed more blood. White America during this time was the standard and all others had to meet that standard as best as they could to survive. Whether that meant natives being sent to boarding schools or forced into adoption with white families. Blacks being forced to alter their natural hair texture or hide their blackness all to be more palatable for the standard of whiteness was inevitable.
Through that standard the Black Native became like that of unicorn never really being able to belong to their black identity or to their Native identity; because both identities were stolen, both identities were whitened. This lack of identity made it so that colorism- a prejudice or discrimination amongst different skin tones in a racial group presented itself heavy in the black community as well as black pride. While colorism was prevalent within the Native community, Natives took on a different approach as to preserve their lineage and rights. They started to require what’s called a blood quantum- a percentage of Native blood that allows you to be considered Native. With both groups taking precautions to reclaim their identities, they created more exclusion to the outsider, more exclusion to the Black Native. Which meant you were too black to be Native or too Native to be black. Which ultimately meant that the Black Native had to learn how to be both identities in a way that was their own identity. And they did!

For instance, George Bonga (1802-1880) African American and Ojibwe. George was known to be a Black Indian fur trader as well as a wilderness guide. He was also fluent in multiple languages English, Ojibwe, and French that brought forth his service as a government translator.

Mary Edmonia Lewis (1844- 1907) African American and Mississauga Ojibwe. Mary was the first African American and Native American Sculptor to be recognized nationally and internationally for her works of art. She was known to sculpt African and Native features and themes into the neoclassic style of art.

Billy Bowlegs III (1862-1965) African-American and Seminole. He was famous for being chief during the Seminole Wars. Billy was also a part of the Snake Clan and was proud of his heritage and culture. He continued to teach and performed traditional dances until his passing.

Olivia Ward Bush-Banks (1869-1944) African-American and Montaukett. She was known for her poetry and writings. Olivia wrote for Colored American magazine and published multiple poetry books. Her writings displayed that of the Native experience and the African-American experience.
These well-known Black Natives made sacrifices for the Black Natives of today and tomorrow.
BLACK NATIVES TODAY
“I don’t want to be just one, I’m not just one, I like who I am”- Shelly
Those words were from my coworker Shelly a black Native that I had the pleasure of interviewing here at the agency.
Shelly, who is African-American and Dine’ was born in 1966 in Ontario, Canada to her mother Beverly (Black) and her father William (Navajo.) She then moved to Detroit when she was three years old and this was the beginning of her racial identity of being black and Native unfolding. Despite being raised a great deal by her grand and great grandparents learning to be proud of her identities and cultures; Shelly still endured hardship for the color of her skin, the texture of her hair, the way she spoke and the beliefs she cultivated.
I said tell me what it was like being black and Native in Detroit? She sighed with a chuckle and said “well it was traumatic. Having to grow up in the 70’s and 80’s was a different time.” She spoke on not being able to fit in during her time attending Catholic school, being teased often in girl scouts and what it was like being discriminated against in the black community.
Still her family instilled in her the beauty and strength of what it was to be black and Native no matter the adversity. While experiencing push back from the black community, Shelly found comfort in her Nativeness. She learned the teachings and listened to the elder’s stories and learned how Natives should be portrayed in the media. Though seen as different or the awkward Black Native Shelly found a way to meld her beliefs and understanding whether be it cultural or spiritual to make it fitting to herself. However, finding belonging was still a barrier in her youth and still is at times today she says.
Having gone through many trials and tribulations with her estranged father, to changing professions, to losing loved ones to suicide. Shelly stands proud to this day to be black and to be Native. Shelly did not have an easy life growing up as a black Native but she made the most of her experiences and hopes that the next generation of Black Natives will do the same.
BLACK NATIVES TOMORROW
To the Black Natives of tomorrow know that how you look, what you celebrate, and how you identify matters because the black Natives yesterday and today made sure that it would. As you venture the land of your Native heritage do so with confidence holding up your black fist. Never stop following the road map, never stop discovering more of your history, never stop fighting for injustice. Hold firm to Martin Luther King Jr’s dream while honoring the Grandfather teachings.
“Young people raise up, don’t be afraid, fear will kill you.”
-Shelly
In writing this blog my objective was to solely focus on the historical context surrounding the Black Native identity. Now, I realize it was to open up a history that most black people and Natives may not be aware of. To be Black, to be Native, is to be seen and heard.
Though the Black Native story is part slave story, it is much more than that, it is an intermarriage story, a friendship story, a welcoming of tribe’s story, an awkward Black Native story, a Native history story and it is a BLACK HISTORY STORY! Happy Black History Month!
Sites
Olivia Ward Bush-Banks – Wikipedia 9 January 2022, by Wikimedia Foundation
Billy Bowlegs III – Wikipedia 21 October 2021, by Wikimedia Foundation
Edmonia Lewis – Wikipedia 7 February 2022, by Wikimedia Foundation
George Bonga – Wikipedia 14 January 2022, by Wikimedia Foundation
Five Civilized Tribes of Native America 5 Native American tribe (theamericanhistory.org) 8 February 2022, by The American History