Indian Princesses

Today I met a man on the bus. In the course of our dicussion, I had mentioned my work as a Native American activist. I had told him of a few issues that I had gotten involved in. It was at this point that he told me that he also was Native American. Even though he had blond hair and obviously was a Anglo he proceed to tell me that his Indian name was Little Eagle and his father was Big Eagle. With a smile on my lips I recalled many others who had claimed Indian blood. Nowdays it is fashionable to be Indian. The problem I have is that these people are only Indian when it is convenient. For the rest of us it is a 24 hr. job. He said that his ancestor was a Indian Princess. It always amazes me to hear that. The Indian standing before me would rather think that his roots were lodged in royalty. People would rather believe that his ancestor wooed an Indian Princess instead of fathoming the idea that a savage warrior ravaged his maternal relative. The other idea is that they will not stand up and protect their people when the going gets tough. I wonder if they ever tell people inside their circle of their roots. What do you think?