Serving Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, and other towns of the North Carolina High Country
Founded 05-05-05
February 23, 2006 issue
Tim Wilkie, Sr. To Discuss Native Americans February 25
Story by Sam Calhoun
Tim Wilkie, Sr., a member of the Turtle Mountain Chippewa Indian Band, will be the featured speaker this Saturday, February 25, when the Watauga County Library presents “Who are Native Americans?” Wilkie’s presentation begins at 1:00 p.m., and admission is free.
Wilkie, who holds a bachelor’s degree in Native American Studies and who is currently working on a master’s degree at ASU, is a native of North Dakota and the Turtle Mountain Chippewa Indian Reservation, which sits roughly one mile from the border of Canada in the middle of the state. Ever since moving to this region, Wilkie has given informational talks to Native Americans about going to college and has researched the history of the U.S. government’s handling of Native American treaty rights.
He explained that being a Native American is much less taboo than it used to be and because of this, more people are becoming interested in researching their own lineage.
Wilkie will discuss the definition of a Native American, clarifying the percentages necessary to belong to a tribe and receive treaty rights. He will explain the complications that have arisen over the federal government’s policy allowing a tribe to determine who qualifies to be considered a member of the tribe.
“There’s no set standard,” explained Wilkie. 
According to Wilkie, some tribes require people to be one-quarter Native American or one-eighth Native American to belong and receive treaty rights—money or grants from the federal government.
“I’ll explain what it takes to become enrolled,” said Wilkie. “There are some interesting quirks.”
Wilkie will also briefly discuss federal Indian law policies and the difference between state and federal recognition of tribes. Currently, there are 562,000 tribes in the United States that receive federal recognition and thus receive treaty rights and government stipends. Yet, there are “two to three handfuls” of tribes who only receive state recognition, such as the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina.
Wilkie also plans to address the myth that all tribes are getting rich through casino profits.
“Not all tribes have that opportunity,” he said.
“There’s so much information for me to share,” added Wilkie. He hopes to plan more speaking engagements in the future to further share his knowledge.
He feels that when more and more people discover that they have Native American lineage, equality will improve across the board.
“I’m all about multiculturalism… it’s ending hate by ending ignorance,” said Wilkie.
For more information, call the Watauga County Public Library at 828-264-8784.
Want To Go?
Date: Saturday, February 25
Time: 1:00 p.m.
Location: Watauga County Public Library, Boone
Cost: Free