By Lee Longhorn

You know we never get to know someone. I was around eight years old when I discovered that my grandparents weren’t legally married for the longest time. I didn’t understand that until I was older. Apparently, it was easy to get around things back then. I love my grandparents. I miss my grandmother terribly. I bring this up because I don’t think my grandparents really know all my tribes. One time my grandmother held a contest between my brother and cousin on who knew more Creek-Seminole words and phrases. To my grandmother, I think she just saw us as Creek. Interesting enough, my dad (my stepdad but for this blog, he will be referenced as dad) thought I was more Creek than he had thought.

Sometimes, even parents just don’t understand (or know)

In July of this year, my dad filed his candidacy for the office of the National Council, the legislative branch of the Creek government. According to the MCN Constitution, elected officials must have at least one-quarter degree of Creek blood. Dad filed and it was a time where I had to stand both behind and next to him sometimes. I read somewhere that a long time ago, those who stood on someone’s right side was considered their most trust person. Strangely enough, my mom pointed out that I’m usually on my dad’s right side.

On the day that he filed, we began talking strategy and a plan of attack. Dad read the constitution and began to look into the law books to have a better understanding of programs, departments and importantly, rights of the people. He got to the part in the constitution that talks about the National Council and their duties. He stopped reading and began to ponder the responsibilities of the National Council. This was where he came up with the slogan “Be the voice of the people.” Actually, it seemed like that was everyone’s slogan.

Blood quantum dictates tribal identity?

We talked about the blood quantum limit on the elected officials and I then told him my perspective on it. I told him how it was unfair that they couldn’t lower it to 1/8 to allow more tribal members to file for candidacy. He looked puzzled at this thought and he asked, “Why do you feel that way?” I replied with, “Because I’m not a quarter, but more than an eighth.”

He studied me for the longest time and then spoke up. “I thought you were more than that. I thought you were at least half, if not more.”

I laughed at this statement. Of course, he would think I’m a lot more than I was. To him, he just sees me as Creek. All the ceremonies, language classes, work I’ve done for the tribe, cultural knowledge, he doesn’t really see or know the fraction break down, the list of tribes, or importantly, my perception on this whole plethora of tribal affiliations.

I’ll never forget this. When you think you really know someone, especially after spending 20 years with them and knowing all about them, you get a curveball.

But I think overall, I’m happy with the way dad phrased the statement, “I thought you were more than that.” I mean, to him, maybe I am half. He knows my biological father so he knew he couldn’t say almost full, or something.

But, sometimes they do understand

I guess it was a shock to know that he doesn’t care about that small detail. It is comforting to hear him say that because he only knows me for me. He has taken me for all these years at face value. I guess when you become involved in a family, you really get to know your potential spouse and the kids you just take as is.

I don’t dislike him any less. I actually love him even more for what he did. He ran for public office. I’m proud dad stood up to the front and asked me to have his back. I mean, he supported me through band, college, internships and career choices. Maybe I should support him in this.

My feelings towards this whole campaign that of all the people, my dad had someone who isn’t even that much Creek stand behind him. To me that was special. It was also special when people called me, “Mr. Bucktrot.”

Maybe we shouldn’t worry about our background sometimes. He didn’t care about my background and maybe it has me thinking, should I?

P.S. In case you were wondering, he didn’t make the runoff. That’s ok, it just means less money campaigning and more money to attend OU football games. Boomer Sooner!

Lee Longhorn is a reporter with the Muscogee Nation News.