Embracing Native American heritage and acceptance
Justin Freemyer
Mesa Legend
In the midst of the daily grind of going to school and racing through campus to get that next class you pass by so many people with unique and interesting backgrounds. No person is the same and in this wonderful country we live in. We often assume what you are just by the color of your skin, the way you talk and dress. But as the saying goes you can’t judge a book by its cover. I am Justin Freemyer and I am a Native American. By looking at me you could never tell. I am fair white skin and blue eyes, but by blood I am part of Choctaw Nation Durant, Okla. This is something I never gave much thought. My mother always told me I had some Indian blood, but I never really explored it.
Most of my background is made up of European decent; my father’s side is German/ European, while my mother’s is Irish/Native American. And the cool thing I learned about my material side is both my great grandparents were Irish/ Native American. My materal grandfather has a strong Cherokee presence, but to extent of it is undocumented. Late last year I discovered I was 1/64 (by degree of blood) declared by the Choctaw Nation. Now honestly, that’s not a lot to call yourself a Native American, but it’s something I proudly embraced and own it.
But at first it wasn’t that easy. So many thoughts raced through my head on how I should conduct myself. I didn’t dress or act the part and I thought if I told people that I was part Native American they would probably laugh in my face.
After my mother’s persistence I completed the application process of becoming a member of the Choctaw Tribe after a lengthy paperwork process. I decided to reach out to the American Indian Institute at MCC. I wanted to a part of the community and learn more about this whole new world I was a part of. It was my first semester back in school that I decided to kick off this new journey in school.
How do I present myself?
How do I show respect?
Would they laugh at me?
I mean here is this lily white guy coming up and saying I’m the same as you. The reception was welcoming and I was invited to apply to attend a trip the group was taking called “Roads to Universities.” Honestly, I didn’t think I was going to be selected to go, but on the 11th hour I was selected. Sure I felted honored and welcomed with open arms.
This was three day trip to Los Angeles where we went to a Pow-Wow, Miss UCLA Pageant, and a day at University of California, Los Angeles and Universal Studios. Six guys and six girls went and I was the only white guy there. I felt out of place, but I liked the experience. I learned so much and it made me such a stronger and better person.
As much as they made me feel welcomed it still was very new and overwhelming. Yet, I experienced on the trip made want to get more involved with the group and my nation explore my Native American heritage further. I am extremely proud to be a part of the Native American Community and am blessed they accepted me as one of their own.
