AboutRichard Sutton Expertise As a direct reservation trader in all aspects of American Indian arts since 1985, I've answered questions regarding cultural property issues, origins of traditional crafts, materials and techniques, collecting, authenticity, symbols and, of course, repairs!
Experience My primary focus is on Southwester American Indian Nations and their people, but I also have experience in Plains and Northeastern traditions, having engaged in active trade and retail since 1985 and study for most of my life.
Publications I was a guest on Fox Network "Lifestyles" program, during the 1990s, to discuss how to tell forgeries, and authenticating jewelry as Native American work. I have also written extensively for our website, www.kivatrading.com and our Ebay Store.
Expert: Richard Sutton Date: 3/28/2008 Subject: My culture
Question QUESTION: Hello my mane is Cherokee Bunn and i am of native american descent. my father is Mohawk and Shinnecock and my mother is Blackfoot native american.I know absolutley nothing about my heritage and i would really like to know about it so what should i do?
ANSWER: Your family tree sounds really interesting! The Mohawk connection (like all Iroquois Nations)traces its lineage matri-lineally -- through the mother's bloodline, so tracking ancestors through your father's relations should concentrate on his female ancestors if they were Mohawk. The Mohawk, or Akwesasne are members of the Iroquoian Confederacy, 6 Nations gathered around the shores of the Great Lakes, primarily in upstate New York, on the Canadian side, and Northeastern Pennsylvania. Their collective, consensus form of government pre-dates our demo9cracy, and in fact, was one of the inspirations. Benjamin Franklin and other Founding Fathers spent time with the Iroquois Leaders to help frame the idea of representative government before 1776! Oddly enough, the 6 "Long-House" Nations never reached a formal treaty with the United States of America, and are considered a separate entity, within our borders, issuing their own driver's licenses, passports, etc.! Another interesting fact is that among the Mohawk, many generations have been steel-workers and other construction jobs which require great skill and courage. It is said that the Mohawk built the skyscrapers of NY City!
The Shinnecock People are an Algonquian-speaking band who settled upon Long Island's East End, along the South Bay. They are currently working to gain Federal Recognition, which will open up many opportunities for this small Nation. Currently recognized by NY State, their tribal government is a good source for information regarding ancestry, enrollment and other informations. Like other Nations, they establish their own criteria as to who can be enrolled as a member of the tribe, based on bloodlines. Their homeland occupies some of the most beautiful tracts of L.I.'s Hamptons waterfront and lays claim to parcels extending completely across the South Fork, including some pretty high-end Golf Clubs and private parcels -- this will create contention in the courts for years to come!
The Blackfoot Nation are also Algonquian-speaking people whose homelands lie along the Northern Mountains and woodlands from present-day Montana to the shores of Lake Superior. Their traditional lands overlap those of the Salish & Kootenai and the Flathead Nations and extend over the Canadian border.
All of these Nations were hospitable to people who wished to adopt their way of life, and so the bloodline can be quite mixed -- all providing for a remarkable cultural blending. Their traditions are unique, as are their religious beliefs, and any research should include substantial time reading both anthropological writings as well as work produced by people of their respective traditions -- to gain a full, broad view of their life-ways. Even if you never pursue a full search of your geneology -- you can take pride in the bloodlines you have inherited, every bit as noble as any to emigrate from Europe, Africa, Asia or anywhere else in the world. Your best resources are often the tribal governments themselves, so don't hesitate to contact them directly. Hope this helps.
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QUESTION: Are you by any chance of Native American hertitage?
Answer I may have some blood on my mother's side, but it is not traceable, as all of her relatives are long dead. She thinks her father was Scottish and Nez Perce, but there is no record to confirm his lineage -- although I've tried! Good luck in your search!
