My project
story:
My personal
project has been based on these ideas:
- To find
out more about my heritage
- To find
out the Cree connection and something about their
culture
I started with the family history records that
have been kept by a first cousin in California. She shared
information by phone calls, emails, and parcel post.
I had to delve into the records as far as she
had been able to go. Part of my search seemed to end
there. She had only notes written on a photograph of my Great
Grandmother Sarah McCulloch stating that she was 1/2 Cree.
She told me she believed it was true.
I read the stories she sent and then contacted
all of my aunts and my mother to find out their memories of their
Grandmother Sarah. I was disappointed and puzzled at why they
never knew or even met their own grandmother. They had only a
few stories about their growing up so I branched off to learn more
about my Grandpa who died when I was six.
As I heard their stories, I wondered if some
of their experiences had a Native American connection such as the
chores the girls did and not the boys. It still seemed so
strange they never talked about the grandparents. It could be
the result of the arranged marriage between my grandparents.
Every story seems to lead to another. They did not have the
oral tradition of passing on their history.
I decided to find out about the Cree Indians
who lived in Canada-which is where my Great Grandmother was born. I
learned they were called First Nations but have not been able to
determine which one. Hours of internet searching have not
narrowed my search much. I will have to just look for general
things. I did finally find out the name of a Cree from
Canada-Buffy Sainte Marie from the Indian Country
newspapers.
Next I tried to locate the places where my
grandparents, great-grandparents, and other ancestors were
married. My detective work continues as I get close but not
quite there.
I keep collecting information and searching,
searching for more connections and new directions. I thought
if I could find the places, I could find the right Cree First
Nation until I considered the possibility that they also had been
relocated. This was discouraging.
As my journey continues, I consider the
frustrations the Native Americans had in their struggle for
identity. I can understand better but am determined just as
they to not give up until I have satisfied my need to know. I
narrow then widen my search and then take on a whole new
direction. The course completely changes when needed. I
don’t give up-they didn’t either in spite of the
odds.
The search has taken me directions I did not
consider such as reestablishing my contact with many family
members. I had not expected such a willingness to help
me. The project has had ups and downs with successes
and frustrations/dead ends. I have met through the stories my
great grandmother, Sarah McCulloch whom I accept was 1/2
Cree. I can visualize the strong person she must have
been. I have also met her son, my grandfather who was
described by all as a very generous man. I think many of the
traits described were from his Native American heritage.
Part of me wonders if my desire to make a
birch bark canoe had a connection somehow spiritually to the Cree
who were known for those canoes.
My purposes for doing this project have been
completed. I wanted to find out more about my heritage.
Many stories have given me insight into the character of my
ancestors as well as actual records of who they were. It is
sad that the ones who might know more are either deceased or
don’t want to discuss family-don’t care. How
could one not care who they really are. My second
purpose was to find out more about the Cree connection and
something about their culture. I feel I have established that
connection and know more about the culture. I still want to
know more-but that will come over time. I will continue to
grow into who I really am.
Ki’htwa’m ka-wa’p(a)mit(i)n-----I’ll see
you again.
Please click the following
links to learn more about the steps Mary took in researching her
Family Tree:
