1990 Census

According to the 1990 census there are 1.9 million Native American
and Alaska Natives in the USA. This is approximately 1% of the total
population of the USA. The more than 500 nations of the 1st Nations
represent 90% of the ethnic diversity in the USA. There are 9 major
language families with almost 200 distinct dialects. These Peoples
hold a dual Citizenship, Their Nation and the U S.
******************Now for the rest of the
story********************** There are approximately 9 million Metis
or Mixbloods who self- identify as Metis. There are also
approximately 10 million more of mixed blood who are not claiming
the title. Of those 19,000,000 there were 5 major language groups,
of which three have servived. The Jargons of the Trade People were
the best way to communicate across the back of the Turtle. The three
remaining Jargons are the Arcadian, Metchif (Canada mainly by Red
River Metis), and Chinook. The jargon of the Cajun (or Cajon)is
similar enough to the Arcadian that many combine these together for
one language. In the U S A there is no recognition or rights granted
to the Mixbloods (after 1906 Treaty), though they are still
recognized as a seperate people in Canada and parts of Europe.
Mexico is another country who wishes us to disappear. The cost of
recognizing the Mixbloods as a seperate and distinct People is
enough to bankrupt the United States. According to the Federal
Assimilation Program, we are the best results for eliminating the
Native population. That program is no longer the current mandate but
is still the UNofficial goals in many of the Federal Funding
programs. We have been trying to get the U S government to recognize
the Metis as a seperate and distinct people for these many years and
thus far, our inroads are small but there. The U S Military have
Metis listed as an ethnic group. The Imigration Department accepts
our membership cards as recognition of a seperate and Distinct
Peoples. We are not affiliated with the goverment of Canada and have
no rights in Canada. Though there are times the Canada goverment has
recognized the Metis as a seperate and distinct people FROM the USA.
We are not and do not have the access of dual citizenship in Canada
and the USA. How do we acquire these rights (not privilages)? The
directions suggested are two fold. 1. Pay a lobbyist to fight for
our cause. This cost big money, unless you have a national
organization to push your cause in congress. 2. Grass roots
communications to congressmen and women informing of the Metis
history and rights. This is the least expensive and the most time
consuming, as it takes possibly years of steady writing to get the
job done. Visits to members of the various committees, again on a
continual program of contact, co-ordinated and FUNDED from a central
location. This has been least successful as the funding is not
available to this group. What do you think? Should the Metis in the
USA be recognized as a seperate and distinct People as is the 1st
Nations? I am interested in your views.