Native American Scotsman Allowed feathers

[Mouse1987]

Okay I'm new to my Scottish heritage. I have worn a kilt for many many years, typically to weddings and for daily use. Other than that I haven't been much into my heritage, I've always focused on my native lineage. I am an enrolled tribal member Cherokee by blood, Chotcaw by blood and adopted into the Lakota and Shoshone tribes. (Such a mouthful) I have recently decided that my Scottish heritage is just as worthy of my endeavors.

I don't know many Scotsman who are also Native ( I mean literally serious Native people who prove their lineage or have a community who vouches for them through activity...) So, I would like to find ways to express that old alliance. After all The Cherokee People were presented with a tartan in 1996, even if it isn't traditional I find the idea entertaining and wonderful.

Now, From everything I have read only Clan Chiefs, Their first born son and the Armiger wear them. 3 chief, 2 son of, 1 Armiger on the side facing up under the badge/pin etc. I don't think i could ever afford to become a Armiger, especially not living in Europe lol.

So, would it be appropriate for me to hang my honor feathers off the back of the Glengarry? By where the ribbons are dangling down towards my shoulders. Has anyone seen this? I understand blending heritage is a dangerous game. However, when you're at a crossroad it's hard to pick one over the other. It is equally difficult when I have honor feathers on the rest of my hats because that is how they are displayed and for my family we have beliefs that follow wearing them.... I have earned the rights to wear them in my native community and by law I am allowed to have and wear them.

I would say they would have the ends beaded so it would be pretty obvious they are earned Native way and not Scottish way and they would not be placed near the broach. But again I understand that if you're playing baseball you can't just show up with a hockey stick..... I respect the clan Chief position, again, if you're going to play the game of culture... You go by the cultural rules.... Nevertheless..... I never stop being Native.... I do agree that even though we are in America I would prefer to go by the traditional rules out of respect for my ancestors (Clan Crawford)

I think perhaps the happy medium would be to wear hawk/owl feathers only displayed hanging down from the back. This allows Clan chief's the respected right to wear the eagle feather but allow my native heritage through. I will admit Eagle feathers were not really worn by my people. It was more for clan chiefs and a holy man. (Interesting similarity isn't it?) So I'm not exactly too butt hurt about selecting an owl or hawk feather it's pretty rare for me to wear an eagle feather even if I have earned the rites to do so within my community.

There is one Lumbee-Scot that I am friends with and he has stated he has little issues with wearing his eagle feathers, but i'm a stickler on it. I am also looking for more native opinions. I do plan to bead/embroider my Glengarry at some point or another (Most notably done within most tribes that had alliance with Scotsmen in the North East simply google Native American Glengarry) Any advice is helpful I will do my best to remain open minded to suggestions. I had a very difficult time finding any photos etc. So if you have them please share. Thank you!

[bodhran4me]

No advice , only a hearty welcome from the Ontario shores of the St Lawrence River.

I also look forward to seeing what sort of advice you do receive. It is good that you are choosing to embrace all your heritage and are seeking a respectful way of doing so. On a side note , I have recently learned through the Damien Dempsey song of the help the Choctaw people gave to the Irish during the famine, so soon after they themselves were 'displaced'. Certainly one of those things that help us to realize we are all in this together. Also took the opportunity to look up the Cherokee tartan, she's a beaut! Maybe tell us which, if any, tartan you wear.

[Taskr]

I echo bodhran's comment of respectfully seeking ways to honour heritage, and culture. And, sharp looking tartan.

I take it from your post that you don't attach them in any other way than a cap*. Imagining meeting you kilted up and knowing what they are, the honour feathers attached to the back of your cap (if you were wearing one) would be interesting and might even be cause to strike up a conversation. The other side of your question, from my perspective, is what your Cherokee community might think. But, they've certainly seen you in a kilt by now so there's no issue there.

The balance of an individual's heritage, lineage and cultures is a person choice - albeit influenced by environment and perceived social norms. A statement seen here now and then is that the kilt is not a uniform. While kilted, people wear earned honours when its appropriate, awarded pins and baubles and such. Honour feathers, IMO, deserve nothing less.

*I have seen them attached to a back collar or directly into hair.

[Mouse1987]

Thank you for the welcome bodhran4me,

I am of Clan Crawford so I wear the Crawford Ancient Tartan or a Plain black tartan. Although the Cherokee Tartan is open to me also. I'm a big fan of only wearing things I have ties to, I believe that comes from my native upbringing. I'm not a fan of using things that I am not with... Meaning, since ancient times human beings have used symbols to say "Who I'm With" So if I am not with that I wont use it Hope that makes sense. So I'm not a fan of wearing a tartan I am not related to or don't have rites to use through Kingship etc (I believe I am allowed to wear Wallace tartan also as the Wallace and Crawfords still celebrate an alliance having given birth to William Wallace through Clan union) No matter how beautiful they look to me it's about family and historical ties, not so much fashion. (I don't judge those who don't follow this thought, it is just something I would not do as it goes against my upbringing)

I have been thinking more on my previous post though. I would say that if I choose to wear my family Crawford Tartan or the Cherokee Tartan the feathers would be appropriate including beadwork on the actual GlenGarry so long as my Clan crest badge is also on it. The Cherokee Tartan after all was presented to Cherokee People, so it would truly be acceptable to wear feathers on the back of the cap that are not eagle and a beaded GlenGarry, but feathers should NOT be eagle, and should NOT be in the chief position. (unless you have the Scottish Protocol with it) .. If I have earned the right to wear the "captain" patch for my hockey jersey, it doesn't mean I can wear it when I start playing football..... It wouldn't have the same meaning and would cause confusion in my opinion. So... If the eagle feather is a Chief marker it wouldn't be appropriate to be worn ever on the cap at a highland event, just to honor and respect it in both cultures. Hawk/owl feathers I do not see protocol on and I believe strongly are the answer I am looking for that is a respectful blend.

Another side note is many of the NorthEastern Women tribal people wear GlenGarry with a small eagle plume on it and beadwork, but it would be imposible to mistake a plume for a feather as the plume looks more like a little fluff. It is typically only worn by women in their formal regalia. I do see native men wear the GlenGarry to pow wow with feathers down the back, but if they have an eagle feather up it's usually because they have the Scottish rites to do this also believe it or not! (Native people, we're BIG into protocol)

The only reasoning I can say Crawford tartan is acceptable to wear with the feathers is because that is my inherited tartan and my Cherokee Blood is directly Mixed in with my Crawford heritage also through marriage. It would be unacceptable (in my opinion) to wear the GlenGarry with feathers with a plain black because it doesn't have family/community ties that would tie me to the native/Scottish community (With the exception of if I am attending a funeral which would be ceremonial where honor feathers are appropriate and a kilt would be able to be worn to)

I'm still open to conversation, I may find something I am over/underlooking or maybe another Scot-Native will find this thread educational.

[Father Bill]

I won't try to be definitive, but when you try to honour two cultures at once, you may actually just dishonour both somewhat. Something like the fellow who wears six or seven lapel pins at once, people may just ask "What on earth is he trying to prove?"

Nonetheless, welcome and let's see what others have to say.

[Mouse1987]

Father Bill, Yes I agree which is why I said it is a "Dangerous Game" to combine cultures, if not done with good taste it dishonors both. However, we do see the Military culture combined with native culture honors no problem. I do consider the military life a culture, own language, honors ceremonies etc. So to me it is very honoring when we combine our Native honors with Military culture respectfully. So I must look to what my tribe does with other circumstances that have the same symbolism.

Now, granted that military service is not the same as heritage, BUT, we have no problem combining our native items with a Western civilization attire there. Veterans often wear a eagle feather with their military uniforms etc. And though the military once was used against us we honor those who serve and are native. I don't think the respect point of view here is any less.

I will have to also admit I am not allowed to drink because of my cultural responsibilities to my people, this means I also have to take care of how and wear I combine my items. As Scotsmen tend to drink and I have to be sure of my environment to make sure what I wear is not disrespected if I fail to be acute to my surroundings.

Today a lot of native men wear feathers on baseball caps, Cowboy hats, beanies, graduation caps etc... The list goes on, so not exactly formal just have to have earned the right to wear them if asked by an elder or other native. They can be attached to anything when we decide to wear them. The restrictions in this case are more so on the Scottish side for once, rather than the other way around. Which is usually the case. So it is allowed on our native end, just cross checking for the Scottish end. But as Scottish people we do tend to like to wear feathers in our hats also, just important not to use a symbol that I am not so to speak.

[Father Bill]

Well said brother. I'm not sure that Scots are as willing to have their culture "blended" with others - in fact I rather think not.

Blending cultures in apparel seems to be largely an American thing. The rest of the world doesn't do it much. We don't often do it in Canada either.

[davidlpope]

I think the best tack is to avoid feathers while in Highland dress, unless one is an armiger bearing arms granted by the Lord Lyon. Even then, best to skip the drama and leave the feathers at home.

[Mouse1987]

I hear you Davidpope, cultural frustration is tough, but those of Native and Scottish heritage have practiced elaborate embroder, beadwork and feather wearing on the Glengarry since the early 1700's I would like to partake in that historical cultural blend as it is a great door to talk about the historical impact of early Scotsman in the United States. However I just want to make sure i am doing so without infringing on the rights of chiefs etc. To which as discussed I think that any feather that is not an eagle feather would be appropriate if hung off the back of the Glengary. would be the solution.

Macrob,
Eastern band Cherokee is extremely strict. Oklahoma only goes off the Dawes rolls, there are actually 15 Federal Cherokee Census rolls. My ancestors are on the Miller roll (The census before the Baker roll was taken) The Hester Roll, The Henderson roll. Therefore we can not get Federal Recognition only State recognition. The State recognized tribes won our rights to have eagle feathers in 2013. Although we can not use the repository they can not be confiscated and we can not legally be fined to possession according to the 5th district Federal Court ruling.
Your family may not be able to enroll federally but if you can prove your lineage with birth, death and marriage records to a family member on the other federal rolls you could possibly get state recognition for your family. Although Cherokee Nation isn't a fan of it, it would protect your religious rights. Sadly the only culture/religion regulated by the Government....

[Father Bill]

If I understand correctly, your first nation wears the feathers at the back and pointed down. If I'm right, why not just do that and leave off the Balmoral or Glen? Then you would be a first peoples individual wearing a kilt. It's when the feathers go on the Balmoral or Glen that they start to look like a misuse or a strange application.