How do you prove Native American status?

Question

My grandmother was full blooded Native American and I was trying to figure out how to claim that status for myself and my children.

Answer 1

It is a geneology thing and the proof requirements are something the tribe needs to describe to you. In some cases you may need to bring a pile of papers but other tribes may need a shorter stack and a simple description.

In my case, my great-grandparents were on the "official" list the tribe was forced by the government to use to enumerate the Indians. Since great grandparents showed up late to the Dawes recording, they and others in the line were punished by giving them an arbitrary less-than-whole blood value, yet another slap in the face, but they were on the list and they were given a number. My grandmother was then given a number when they "enrolled" her, as was my father. Much belatedly, I was given a number when my father enrolled me in order to enroll my son ('oops, forgot a step there' as he discovered).

Those close to the tribes and reservations will undoubtedly be given a lot of slack, (Oh, I know him and he's your uncle? Okay) But those far away may have to give more proof. When this light-skinned Cherokee visited the, say, Cocopah or Quechan tribe areas, well I wasn't real Indian to them, obviously much diluted, but were someone to try to say they were Cocopah and didn't have a really dark-chocolate skintone, well, as they say in the south, "You got some 'splaining to do."

There are blood tests you can get online information but even if it shows you were native american or even a particular tribe, you will have to show some sort of geneological connection. After the tribe accepts that, then they register you with the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA). Then you are technically in, but.as my friend Sparlin Norwood would say "You've got to be Indian in your heart, blood alone won't do."

Answer 2

The process for tracing Native ancestry is no different than any other genealogy. It is just a matter of researching your family, creating a family tree and this is all based on actual documentation. Fullblood Native Americans come from fullblood communities and families, and these are found in tribal nations. A person alive today with a fullblood Cherokee great-grandmother means they were from the FEW fullblood Cherokee communities that are very distinct locations. She would only be from either Cherokee Nation/Keetoowah families in Eastern Oklahoma, or the fullblood communities associated with Qualla Boundary. There is really no exception to this. The issue is that many American families pass on exaggerated, erroneous, or totally bogus stories of "Indian blood." So, don't claim anything as fact until you do research and verify. Also, don't be surprised that the stories just don't pan out. The only thing you can claim is lineage that is totally established, proven and documented. If you do your genealogy and it never ties back to a tribal nation or CITIZEN of a tribe, the you can't claim they were Native. You could post your info on here and get some help. There have been quite a few people that have posted their ancestors and got specific genealogy info out of the responses.

Answer 3

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
How do you prove Native American status?
My grandmother was full blooded Native American and I was trying to figure out how to claim that status for myself and my children.

Answer 4

First you need to know what tribe she was from since my great grandmother is Cherokee and Choctaw indian and that makes me one quarter native american. Many tribes have councils throughout the US contact them for your local council to find out how to figure out your status.

Answer 5

you must use a lawyer it is a cost about 1500 or more i once looked into it my self or if your grandmother had status she should have a band number this is what you need a band number

Answer 6

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