But, I noticed differences in the stories from family members. Either they were told wrong, or they forgot things, or maybe they added or left out things? who knows?
I wanted to know for sure. I did know i have Native American because of my Great Grand Mother (Mom's side) She looked like a full blooded Native American. But, for some reason she was ashamed of being part Native American. she would say I'm not Native American. If you pushed her about it, she would get very angry at you. I was also told there was German, and Swedish on her side.
I was told on my Dad's side of the family there was Irish, and German. No one would ever go into details about my Dad's side of the family like if they were ashamed, or hiding something.
I had a DNA test done in 2003 but it wasn't a full detailed DNA test, it did come back that I was over 50% Native American. that test got me put on the U.S. Government's Native American Indian Registry of North America. I then got another DNA test to determine what Tribe. That came back mixed results, but Sioux was the dominate strand. I was then told I could choose between three tribes.
I choose Sioux because they were all about protecting Earth, Animals, and being friendly and helpful.
But I still wanted to know my true full heritage. Every place I found that could tell me through my DNA cost an Arm & Leg, and a few fingers and toes too. Then one evening I took my family out to a Movie, then to Dinner. as we were there the people in the next booth were talking about this DNA testing center can tell you everything about your heritage, even hidden health conditions. then the other asked about the price. They got real quite and I couldn't hear how much it cost. So, i said there is only one way to find out. Ask. So, I did just that. I said Please excuse me for interrupting. I introduced my self then asked. She said oh no problem I'm glad to help she said its very expensive unless you are on Social Security Disability. and over age 50 and have served in the US Military.
I was said "Wow, I'm on SSD, I'm over 50, and I served active duty in the Army for 16 years.
she said for you like me it's free. She said my age is why I got quite. I said you don't look a day over 28, and really she didn't. She said oh my gosh really? Thank You. I'm 62. I said no way, you look very good for being 62. anyway she gave me the name and phone number. I said thank you very much. then i went back to my family.
The next day i called they sent me an application I had to prove my Age SSD and Military with
certified documents. Luckily I just got all that info a few weeks earlier. So, i sent then that they called me back and said that they checked everything and put me on their waiting list. It was 14 months away. I got the DNA test 2 weeks ago and got the results Monday.
It says I am 62% Native American.
24% of my Total DNA is German, from Bavaria.
14% of my Total DNA is Canadian from Nova Scotia.
Break down of the 62% Native American~First Nation DNA.
68% is Sioux of North Dakota, USA, Southern Saskatchewan and Manitoba, Canada.
32% is Ojibwe~Chippewa of South Eastern Ontario, Canada.
I've been told if my Ojibwe~Chippewa DNA was 1% more I would be a Natural Canadian Citizen.
There is more information about my German and Canadian heritage that is very interesting to me but, would probably be boring to you.
I have this posted on the internet, to show my pride for my heritage, and my 16 year military service.
I'm an official member of: Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, and United Sioux Tribe of South Dakota
Thank You!