No, you're not "finding your tribe"

First of all: you do not "find" your tribe. You are born into it. It is the cultural group your ancestors come from.

This is the opposite of what most people mean when they say they want to find theirs.

I don't think they have any cultural understanding of how tribes function in the modern day at all. Did you know that in order to be recognized as a tribal member, you have to prove that you are related by blood?

It's called blood quantum, and it was started by the US federal government. If your blood is "too diluted?" Too bad, so sad, you're not "native enough" to belong to your own tribe. Nevermind that your parent was born into it.

I don't think most people who want to "find their tribe" know anything about what it means to be a registered tribal member, either.

Did you know that Native Americans have sovereign rights? That this gives them the right to make their own laws? That they had to fight for this against people who considered them less than human? That they have to pay more for food on the reservation, and yet live farther away from "normal" grocery stores than the rest of the US population?

Remember, they did not choose this. They were forced. It was bloody. They still face disproportionate levels of violence.

Did you know some native people still flinch at the use of the word savage, because they've been called that in their personal lives? I'll bet you didn't. The history books taught us that this was a thing of the past. That everything is fine, now, in spite of the fact that they neglected to mention anything about modern day native culture.

I'm focusing on US natives because that's where I live, but don't think your country is off the hook. Canada, I'm talking specifically to you. Canadians have a habit of assuming the same things don't happen there because Canada is the "nice" country. Look up "Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women." Ask one of their relatives if Canada is a nice country.

Native people have been driven to the brink of extinction, forced to live on land that is not ideal for supporting their lifestyles, stripped of identity and community, and relegated to the history books in spite of the fact that they are very much still alive.

Most people don't want any claim to that when they say they're "finding their tribe." They just want community and belonging. They don't care about the history, they'll say it's not a big deal, they'll act like it's ridiculous to even bring this up.

This tells me that they don't care. They don't care to do the work. They don't care to even know. They only care about themselves.

I've seen natives who say that this is an issue, and I've seen natives who say that I should let this go. That there are bigger issues. That time shouldn't be wasted on something so small.

The thing is, I think it points to the bigger issues, even if it is small. Everyone wants to correct, and no one wants to be corrected. The way you respond to new information--especially information that challenges your worldview--speaks to your character.

Those who treat this issue with dismissal do not have the sort of character that I want to be around.

If you do care, please research the tribes around you. They are specific to your area, and they might be able to use your help. You might even find a powwow to attend.

Just remember that you are their guest.