As Nancy and many of you are probably aware, the situation she describes in
Kentucky is tied to the old term "Tri-Racial Isolate."  There has been some
classic work done (though I don't recall the citations now) on the
so-called Ramapo Mountain People of New Jersey and the Lumbee of the
Carolinas.  There is also a tradition I picked up in the Faces of Culture
Series (OK, source noted and concerns expected) on the use of Indian
identities by African American parade groups/social clubs.  There seems to
be a deep history on this that may also be useful in exploring this
connection.  Anybody have specifics?
 
cheers - john
 
John P. Staeck          There are many here among us,
Anthropology Program      who feel that life is but a joke,
Luther College          but you and I have been through that
Decorah, IA  52101        and know that this is not our fate.
[log in to unmask]        R. Zimmerman