Can I prove Native American heritage with dna test only?

Question

My family has recently found out that my grandmother was 1/2 native american. However, I have no way to prove this as it was due to an unsubstantiated relationship of her mother's and was kept secret until my grandmother's death. Is there any way to get a CIB card with dna only, without knowing exact names and history of ancestors?

Answer 1

As others have said, no, but even if DNA tests were "proof" for enrollment, I don't think it would do you any good - from your question, it sounds like your Native ancestor was your Grandmother's father. DNA tests two lines - mother's mother line (Y-chromosome) and father's father's (X-chromosome).

You would have to find and test a direct male line descendant of your grandmother's father to have the possible Native DNA. It wouldn't show up in your testable DNA.

Answer 2

No you cannot. You can prove it to yourself and you can show others. But you cannot be federally recognized or tribally recognized using a DNA test. Also please remember that these tests are not 100% accurate, it is in fact new science. So, if it says you aren't Native doesn't make it true.

The best thing to do is get some names and work from there. You can check tribal rolls and you can submit articles to tribal newspapers. The thing is MANY Natives never prove their ancestry, even ones that are very obviousally Native. The best thing to do if this is the case is to get involved in the Native community. There are still many benefits just by being involved.


Information on how to become enrolled is listed below:

To become enrolled in one's tribe is often a difficult process. Once one is enrolled one will have certain rights as a Native person. It is true that no one needs to prove their ethnic identity but to have full access to rights for Native people one must be enrolled.

To become enrolled one must first should call one's tribe and find out the enrollment requirements. They are different per tribe.
For most tribes you have to prove descendency and have a certain blood quantum. To prove descendency one needs to have some record of her belonging to a member of the tribe that was recognized by the tribe at some point, hopefully an individual that was enrolled at some point. The average blood quantum standard is 1/4. Unless you are Cherokee, their blood quantum standards are much less.

If you don't have contact with your tribal member then you can ask the tribe to look for his last name. They can look this up and see if his family line is registered. If so then your in luck. If they don't immediately find it then you can use the tribal newspaper and submit an article asking if anyone has lineage to your tribal member .

Many Native people can never become enrolled because standards of enrollment are high and were set up by the White government to oppress Native people and Native people have yet to change them.

To become more involved in one'sculture one might want to look up local Native organizations or local tribes. Try going to Pow-wow's (because they are easy to find) and talk to community members there. Many colleges/universities have a Native student union where one can get involved or get more information.

Please remember ancestry is very difficult for many Native people.

By the way, I am Native, so I have some knowledge pertaining to this.

Answer 3

The answer is no.....in either case.
While a DNA test can show whether or not you carry the genetic marker for American Indian ancestry, it cannot tell you which tribe. Without a tribe to claim you, you are pretty much just left with an interesting story to tell.
Add to that the fact that even if you did manage to get a CIB card, most tribes are moving to a requirement of a much higher percentage for the blood quota to be a member.

Answer 4

Remember that while DNA and standard genealogy may be useful and may yield the truth and may be all you want, unless you are a member of a tribe, you will be given little credibility as a Natrive American. In some cases 100% Native Americans have violated a federal law on crafts because they are not tribal members.

Answer 5

Your grandmothers spirit knows who you are. Listen to your ancestors the trees, animals, wind, and rain, you'll here your grandmother speaking in them.

Why don't you want a Eagle Feather? An Eagle Feather will show your heritage truthfully.

Science does not matter. A card is just another slice of dead tree. Cards were created by the government, not by natives.

Answer 6

were can i get tested to proof if iam native american from my dad's dad side none of my family will tell me or give me any info they just say we are part cherokee i dont have any proof