Should I move to a Native American reservation and take on their way of life?

Is it something that you could try out temporarily? Just to see how it goes?

it’s full blood not fool blood.

Do people on reservations live a in a way very different from the “modern western way”?

I have never visited a reservation.

There is some amount of resentment against people who want to turn native because it implies that Native Americans are somehow different or even more primitive than other Americans.

There is also a fear of outsiders moving in and further diluting the gene pool. It is a somewhat racist view.

However, both of these attitudes are very much in the minority. In the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, would be very hard pressed to move into a community, such as my mother’s home town of Bokchito and find any difference what so ever. Of course, the make up of the town is 80 percent white according to the 2000 census.

I think you would be hard pressed to find any Native American community with a life style that is radically different from the main stream. I have read that the Klamath strive to keep their hunter/fishing villages as close to their ancestors life style as possible.

The one’s we have here are just normal houses on “Indian land” They have TV’s and pretty much the same stuff, and cars too. But make sure you bust out the lights and smack a few dents into it for posterity. I suppose you know what kind of living the tribe has. You looking into primitive life? That is going to get old real fast.

I know very little about the reservations. I do know some native Americans who don’t live on a reservation, but who are still very involved with the community. Have you made attempts to interact with the local tribes? Or, is there a specific reservation you are considering that might not even be local to where you live now? Have you soent time on any of the reservations? Or, is your idea of life there based on assumptions you have? You can live off the grid without being on a reservation.

You know a Native American Reservation isn’t a Marriott, right?
Most organized tribes like Mashantucket Pequot don’t let you just move in, you have to show a minimum percentage of blood quantum. And some tribes tribes you do not have a minimum blood quantum requirement; however, this does not mean anyone with any amount of Indian blood can enroll. Members must be direct descendants of original enrollees of reservation.

Things are very bad on the reservations right now due to cuts in Federal funding. I just heard on NPR that the suicide rate is the highest among Native Americans than any other group. You might want to investigate further.

Can’t you live the lifestyle without being on a reservation? Many Native Americans do.

To thine own self be true. If you do decide to adopt a tribe, I’d avoid calling them “fool blood Natives” though. :-)

My boyfriend and I stayed on a Navajo reservation last year and, while we were only there for a short time I didn’t notice much different in their day to day way of life to that of modern society. What Tribe would you be looking to join? I don’t know much about the Native Americans but I would imagine that each Tribe’s way of life is different and some will be more into technology etc than others?

If you’re drawn to it, what’s the harm in trying for awhile?

My grandmother’s family are all native american indians with cards, so I’m intrigued by the lifestyle, language, spirituality- all of it. I’ve thought of trying out a reservation for a week or so on my vacation, but haven’t yet. Try it, you might like it!

What is their “way of life”?

This is a serious question, actually. I’ve never lived on an Indian reservation, but I’ve been on many. In my state, their way of life involves managing a casino as that is a primary source of income. I know many personally, and they’re just normal folks who live normal lives with normal stuff. On holidays and special occasions they will break out the traditional dances and instruments, but otherwise they just live and work like everybody else.

Here in California, you would find Native Americans living on so-called reservations in deep poverty and living just like any other impoverished people. You would also find some living in all new homes with new cars and living the “American Dream” due to successful casinos.

Try living their life for a while even those who are living in poverty and filth, (much to their own doing btw). You can always pack up and come back to the normal life when you have had enough. The messed up thing is, is they can’t just up and leave for some place better. Thats where they are ,that’s where they’ll be from now on.

@woodcutter I argue with you often enough I thought you might like to know when I think you are absolutely right.