Forum members here for years have been researching, noting trends and patterns, and passing on knowledge. I hope everyone who is new here (which I still am) takes the time to regularly read through the forums, including older and archived threads. This is a fantastic resource. I'm learning so much, thank you everyone.
When people we are researching respond, some of them respond indignantly that we are being invasive.
Since I'm sometimes digging around in records, I've been thinking about this. When I post a record that verifies that someone is not who they say they are, am I do something wrong?
The way I see it - if someone markets themselves as NDN, if they claim heritage as their personal brand and selling point, and if they are selling anything, especially ceremony - researching their claims is good consumer awareness. When we're in the market place, we get to look over the goods, we get to read the ingredients list, look over the table of contents/index/sources.
This isn't about blood quantum, enrollment, or physical appearance. Researching people's claims is not about being hateful and invasive, it's about consumer awareness and safety. Those of us who are outsiders like myself would be smart to learn, research, and think - rather than being vulnerable to potential frauds. And we can also offer help to those protecting their own cultures.
If someone is trying to sell me something, I should be able to ask questions and get answers. If the seller responds to my questions with bluster and outrage, this is possibly a sign that they are a con artist.
Some people are naive, believe their own false stories, are delusional, sometimes they have their own believed spiritual connection. Hopefully if they are behaving badly they will listen, learn, and change when this is brought to their attention.
Once they market themselves with specific claims of heritage, it is not wrong to research them, it is necessary and wise.
