The
Black Native American Association (BNA) is an intertribal group
of people with African-American and Native American heritage who
organized in the late summer of 1992. Due to the adverse impact
of past and present governmental policies, the Black Native American
Association does not minic 'Blood Quantum Police" tactics.
We do not require proof of tribal enrollment or recognition. Our
membership is comprised of people of all ages and from many walks
of life including students, teachers, housing developers, trainers,
social workers, journalists, activists, chemists, and more.
Although
our association was founded in the Oakland-San Francisco Bay Area
our intertribal membership includes indigenous peoples from all
over the world. We intentionally honor ALL our ancestors.
Our Association is an integral part of urban and rural Native
American Communities as well as active in many different activities
in the Black Community. In terms of Native American involvement
we are a member of the Bay Area American Indian Representatives
(BAAIR). We participate on various committees such as the Indigenous
Peoples Day Celebration and Pow Wow in Berkeley, California, which
replaces the exclusive and insulting Columbus Day. Additionally,
we participate and support the International Indian Treaty Council’s
United Nation’s activities for Non Governmental Organizations
and the Bay Area’s Intertribal Friendship House.
The
founders are Don ‘Little Cloud’ Davenport: Seminole
( Bird Clan/Creek/Chickasaw/Sudanese; Zenobia Embry-Nimmer: Black
and Tslagi (Cherokee); Richard (Rip) " Henonoquaad ( Keeper
of the Fire )" Harris: Creek and Choctaw, and Bonita Roxie
Aleja Sizemore: ( Porch Creek Band / Seminole / Choctaw / Tslagi,
with her African ancestors from Mali and Sudan. The BNA
developed to its current state after the founders came together
at the 1992 annual Silver Star Pow Wow held in Oakland, California,
sponsored by the American Indian Film Institute A detailed history
of the organization is available here. We have a collection
of links useful for those interested in Native American geneology,
crafts, dress and folklore.
Please
sign our guestbook if your want more
information or wish to contact the organization
