Native Bidaské: The Tribe Said No – Her Own People Refused Her
When Cheri Haarstad traced her ancestry to a revered Alaska Native chief, she thought she had found her way home.
But her tribe said: You’re not one of us.
Join us for a powerful episode of Native Bidaské as Cheri and her husband Dan share their emotional, years-long fight for tribal enrollment.
This conversation touches on identity, boarding school trauma, blood quantum, and how tribal disenrollment policies are impacting real Native lives today.
This one is raw, honest, and necessary.
📍 Streaming live on Native News Online’s Facebook + YouTube
🕒 Friday, June 27th
🌟 Support Native Stories: https://nativenewsonline.net/donate
📬 Stay Updated: https://nativenewsonline.net/subscribe-to-native-news-today
#NativeBidaské #BloodQuantum #IdentityMatters #IndigenousVoices
Comments
Latest news
@annetteelder-evins1123
November 1, 2025 at 12:51 pm
I am so thankful for my people of taking pains with me after my grandfather and father's death. I am so grateful for the love I have received, even when we agree to disagree on some issues, and I know I was named on the California Judgement Roll of 1968, so I walk the strong walk At LARGE.! I recently started dancing again as I did as a child, yet feel the pain of not dancing because dancing is medicine. I feel the healing of my return to traditional ways.
@nannashirley8967
November 1, 2025 at 12:51 pm
I have had the exact same reaction from the Mohegan Tribe in Connecticut. My ancestor is Sachem Uncas (1598-1683) which is essentially the original Chief, after the Mohegan separated from the Pequot. the only difference is her time frame is 1971 and mine is 1972.
@lbrowning2543
November 1, 2025 at 12:51 pm
Seldovia council claims "open enrollment to blood descendants" of a colonial record and not Indian records. That's a disgrace.
@janesheridan7967
November 1, 2025 at 12:51 pm
What is his goal? If his goal is to get an apology it's not going to work.
@hilohahoma4107
November 1, 2025 at 12:51 pm
This is purely due to colonized brainwashed minds among many indigenous people from north to south. I will tell you something indisputable about Cheri's position, she doesn't need the so called tribes permission to DECLARE that she is her own representative and valid blood descendant of that territory. The U.S. guv is a big problem, they have no right to scrutinize affiliation. Enough commenting excuse the length, blessings to all, chi' pisa' okla.
@WakemupIkwe
November 1, 2025 at 12:51 pm
Tribes must revised their constitutions and membership criteria.
@amysantiago2557
November 1, 2025 at 12:51 pm
This is such a big issue in so many tribes! While I am grateful this is finally getting the attention it deserves!
Comments are closed.