Struggle for recognition

Few know more about struggle in life than Logan Sharp, a descendant of leaders of the Shawnee tribe. Sharp has been fighting for federal recognition for his tribe since the 1970s and presided over the annual Peace Tree ceremony at West Virginia University Tuesday. There, he lectured about the struggles of non-federally recognized Native Americans as part of Diversity Week.

Sharp's fight as a non-federally recognized Native American tribe member began early in his life, though he fought harder once he had children.

"I grew up in a time, in the 1950s and ‘60s, where being Native was an actor on TV playing beside Daniel Boone," Sharp said. "I grew up in a time where Native meant Tonto. This ensured a lot of fights in school."

When asked to fill in their race on school documents, Sharp's children tried to put Native American but were rejected because they were not "carded" or federally recognized.

"My kids come home crying because they were told they weren't Native," Sharp said.

Sharp met with teachers and school board members, bringing paperwork documenting his children as Native. Again, he was rejected, because his tribe was not federally recognized.

Sharp explained there are 285 non-federally recognized tribes in the US, but it's a constant struggle to become federally recognized. Although many tribeal treaties are with the federal government, the federal government will not recognize a tribe unless it is recognized by the state government.

"I was told I couldn't be Native or Shawnee because I wasn't born on a reservation, because I follow the Christian ways, because I joined a union," Sharp said.

"My native heritage is my inheritance."

Federally-recognized tribes do not want more tribes to become federally recognized because "it cuts into an already small pie," Sharp said, explaining federally -recognized tribes receive funding for things like medicine and housing.

Because it is not federally-funded, Sharp's tribe does not receive any tribal benefits.

"It's walking in a world where you're constantly juggling two worlds. Living as a native person is difficult," Sharp said. "Living as a human being right now is difficult, living as a non-federally recognized native person is hard because you're answering to two different people."

Some full-blooded Native Americans have trouble receiving benefits because of lack of paperwork.

"I can go and be carded and recognized because they know me and they know my history. But my children and grandchildren and great grandchildren can't," Sharp said.

"I really don't like the idea of having the government tell me who I am, who my children are."

Brown felt it was important for Sharp to come to WVU because it enhances classroom experiences.

"(It) allows them to interact in a personal way with people who live their culture and face real world challenges of tribal leadership, cultural preservation and identity affirmation," she said.

Erin Clemens, a senior English, international and multidisciplinary studies major, is president of WVU's Organization for Native American Interests and was impressed with Sharp's lecture.

"As a state, we have the same issues with having no federally-recognized tribes as the Mekoce Shawnee do," she said.

Those with mixed heritages, who have trouble being recognized, Sharp said to keep pushing.

"An elder once told my wife that if you take a glass of pure water and you drop a drop of red food coloring in it, the whole thing turns red," he said. "You have to find your walk. It's hard, but it's doable. It can be done."