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.