The Indian Who Wasn't

While helping a veteran get a new ID Card at the VA today, I noticed he had a really neat "Native Pride" hat on.

It said "Native Pride" on the bill, and had a large embroidered Dream-catcher with a wolf's head in the center.

The following exchange took place:

Me: "I love your hat."
Him: "Thanks!"
Me: "What tribe?"
Him: "Huh?"
Me: "What tribe are you from?"
Him: "What do you mean?"
Me: "Aren't you Native American?"
Him: "Yeah! I was born in St. Louis, Missouri!"
Me: "Oh....I thought maybe you were Indian."
Him: "I'm Irish."

Turns out, a friend bought him the hat in Arizona because she knew he liked to read about the Indians.