92 “But members of tribes deal with it in different ways. There’s significant diversity in that story because you’re talking about hundreds of tribes that are acknowledged. It’s a different story from tribe to tribe. There’s no such thing as one type of Indian. “The public looks at them as just another minority group, but they are radically different and their issues are different. They all have their own relationship with the federal government. The only thing they have in common is having to deal with the federal government and with white outsiders. “As far as the Pascagoula River Tribe, they don’t hold grudges for the most part. They’ve been discriminated against. There’s bitterness, and they’ll tell you about it, but most of the ones I’m working with are hopeful.” Oncethepetitionforrecognitionissubmitted totheBureauforIndianAffairs,whichHaggard andthetribehopetodosoon,itwillbereviewed byprofessionalhistorians,anthropologists,and genealogists.Tribesusuallywaittwoyearsfor adecisiontobemadeoncethebureaubeginsto considerthepetition—butthatwillnothappen untilthebureauhasdealtwiththeother petitionsalreadysubmitted. Haggard has spent years working to help people who were complete strangers before this process started. He is compelled by the stories he has heard and the knowledge that, at this point, he is their only hope. “They’re a legitimate group, but if they don’t have me, they’re not getting it done,” he said. “And they’re not going to get anybody else to do it. It’s just too hard. “I’m kind of uniquely qualified for this group. I study southeastern Indians. I do identity and ethnogenesis. I have experience in colonial history. I do oral history. How many scholars are going to have these particular niches? There’s a very specific, unique set of skills that I have that, by coincidence, matches up with what this process needs for this group of people.” “This may end up being my life’s work,” he added. “I may not do anything else even remotely as important — if we’re successful. That’s a big if. That’s the fear, putting a lot of effort into something and it fails. “ButIwon’tbethatdisappointedbecauseI failed;I’llbedisappointedbecauseIdidn’t deliverforthem.I’vespenttimewiththese people.I’vespenttimeintheirhomes.Theyare goodpeople.Theytrytodowellbyeachother andotherpeople.Ifyouseethisopportunityto improvetheirsituation,youhavetohelp.” If recognized, the tribe would not get any land, but any private land from tribal members could be turned over in trust to the federal government, meaning it could never be sold. They also would not receive any money, but they would have access to opportunities and resources for better education, employment, and healthcare. “Families are already starting to get better education for their kids, but it’s hard,” Haggard said. “For people whose parents haven’t gone to college, it’s hard for them to go to college. Just staying in high school is a big deal. 92