Prompt 2

Before attending the Global Challenges Interdisciplinary discussion, I

viewed decolonization as a very isolated movement. To me, it appeared that
progress towards decolonization occurred in confined political spaces
between tribal councils and federal government representatives. After
attending the discussion, I have a better grasp on what interdisciplinary
means, and how I can apply it to an issue that Im very passionate about.
The American Indian narrative in itself is often portrayed under certain
confinements, and Native Americanness is often viewed in terms of skin
color gradients and wardrobe. However, when we view native nations truly
as nations, rather than races, identity becomes more dependent on
community involvement than twisting oneself into archaic racial categories.
The issue of decolonization is interdisciplinary, and must be adopted by
many disparate fields in order to be combatted efficiently. In the same way
that scientists and anthropologists, as seen in the Global Challenges panel,
must work in conjunction to combat climate change, they must do the same
to disassemble colonial constructs. This came to my attention during my
biological anthropology class, when the professor commented that more
genetic variation is found within racial groups than between racial groups. I
mulled over this strictly biological comment for weeks, thinking about its
interdisciplinary implications. If genetics arent what make us Native
American, then culture and commitment to native communities must be it.
This idea throws out the construct of blood quantum (the halves, quarters,
eighths system that most non-natives are apt to define others with), which is
currently used by the government and most colleges, including the
University of Washington. Without tribal citizenship, Native American
students must prove their quantity of purely native blood in order to be
eligible for certain educational programs. This shows that institutions play a
role in determining racial identity for indigenous people. Colonizers
introduced the idea of blood quantum, which implies that it is possible to
breed the native out. In this manner, a simple genetic observation impacts
racial identity on the individual level, comments on historical views of race
and indigenous people, and negates current practices held by educational
institutions.
If we decide that appearance alone doesnt make someone native,
then we have to address the entertainment industry in our interdisciplinary
approach. Although some progress has been made with diversity and
representation in media, Native Americans still seem to get stuck wearing
braids and imparting old-timey wisdom. In reality, Native Americans are
much more diverse than the media portrays, and infinitely more diverse than
what sports teams portray. This idea can be applied to the realm of art too,
not only in the way that colonizers depict natives, but in the way that natives
are expected to create their own art. Although traditional indigenous garb,
art, and literature is beautiful, it can function as a restriction for those who
would like to create their own unique narratives with their art.

I never thought much about how I should address the issue of

decolonization and its implications for racial identity in my own life until I
moved to Seattle. I attended a high school that was primarily white, with a
Native American as a mascot, so I did not feel very compelled to out my
white-passing self as Cherokee. Even when I did, there was a resounding
response of prove it. As Ive come to meet more natives here that are
similar to me, Ive learned that refusing to prove it is an act of
decolonization in itself. In an academic respect, I intend to pursue more
native studies, despite pressure from other communities to distance myself
from my culture due to my appearance. Seeing women like Professor Jean
Dennison, who is an active tribal council member, is very inspiring. By
looking white-passing (I dont like that term but Im not sure what else to
use) while acting as a part of a traditional tribal government system, she
disproves aesthetic expectations set for indigenous people by colonizers. By
following her example, instead of shying away from my identity, I can
embrace it and broaden the idea of what a Native American is.