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Black Native Americans

© Lynette

During the second half of the 20th century and into the 21st century, we have witnessed a revival of cultures in the United States. We have come to love cooking the old recipes, speaking the old languages and learning the history of our backgrounds. What better place to feel this fever than in Los Angeles? It is one of the most culturally diverse cities in the world.

The search and reclamation of who we were and what we have become has resounded loudly within the nations of Native Americans and African Americans. North American Indians have struggled to keep many of their respective traditions and along with African Americans, are gradually succeeding in the regaining of those traditions. We are seeing much more about the history of North American Indians on our television screens. Both groups have called for more accuracy in textbooks for our schools and we are gradually beginning to reject negative myths and stereotypes that have become engrained in American society.

Within the United States there is a group of individuals that few know about – that of the mixed peoples of African and Native descent. They are the offspring of two very rich cultures that were historically more alike than different. The two cultures suffered the experience of being moved from their homelands. They both experienced genocide, and were victims beneath the strict hand of their oppressors to give up languages and gods – amongst other things. As a result of the joining of African slaves into some Indian tribes, modern day descendents are learning about their roots that were previously lost or denied. And as a surprise to some, they are recognizing a part of themselves that they knew very little about.

A few miles into the scenic Gabriolino Mountains is the Haramokngna Cultural Center – off Angeles Crest Highway. The Cultural Center was described by one of its supporters as being a place where the young and old, passerby and powwow searching crowd, alike, can hang out and/or learn about the Native tribes of the area. On my first visit to the Cultural Center I met a beautiful, middle-aged woman exhibiting artwork on the center’s front porch. She featured dolls and black and white photographic prints of her works. Men and women with bronzed skin and patterned attire adorned the layouts. I did not immediately realize that the subjects in the photographs were of a mixed background (Native and African American) until the photographer summarized the intent of her works that might be understood in the following quote by Chief Jerry Eaglefeather (who is also of a mixed background):

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