Confronting the Pretendian Idealogy #Pretendian #IdentityCrises #CultureVulture

Indexed: 2026-05-17

[00:00:01]So, this is going to be a series. I'm not sure how many parts it's going to take, but this is going to be notes that I've compiled myself talking about the pretender phenomenon. And it's essentially cult-like behavior, a hate group against those who claim American Indian identity.

[00:00:21]Pretendians have long been a problem in the American Indian community. This phenomenon is not new to our community.

[00:00:27]From the allotment periods of 1887 to present-day pretenders, they have managed to infiltrate tribes in ways such as bribery, false family history, and even through social media.

[00:00:41]Pretenders, who come in all shades from light to dark, have always looked to American Indian tribes as a way to seek out benefits such as money, status, or land. These present-day pretenders flood social media such as YouTube, TikTok, X, Facebook, and Instagram.

[00:01:00]These present-day pretenders flock to these apps with false claims of American Indian identity.

[00:01:06]This started around 2020 when the lockdown happened.

[00:01:10]Certain members of the black community, such as Dane Calloway, and his cult-like following, saw this as a way to push false history, push African and indigenous erasure, and the biggest taking advantage of their own communities who are dealing with identity issues. Seeking out members of their own community who are vulnerable, exploiting their pain and trauma with their own identity.

[00:01:38]This false narrative has been pushed on a community that has identity trauma.

[00:01:43]And how do they take advantage of these people?

[00:01:47]They take advantage in how every cult does.

[00:01:52]By preying on the insecurities of their identity, creating a false narrative, creating false community, and taking advantage financially of these people.

[00:02:02]Charging exorbitant amounts of money for things such as genealogy records, obscene amounts of money for books that push pseudoscience.

[00:02:13]And the worst that I've seen on this app pushing fake tribal IDs.

[00:02:21]Charging upwards in the amounts of $850 for adults, 500 for children. And if you want your process expedited, that's an extra 350.

[00:02:32]While they pander and grift to everyday people, taking advantage of their pain and trauma.

[00:02:39]Essentially lining their pockets as those in their own community still deal with everyday struggles.

[00:02:46]Struggling to make ends meet, putting food on the table, providing for their children. Essentially robbing and exploiting their own.