I have been hearing about this leader of a tribe who is taking applications from people to become apart of his tribe. According to him his tribe is on the verge of extinction and he needs tribe members. I personally think it is a scam. And he is even telling people that they will have special benefits if they become a member. Of course people have to pay $80.00 for the application. Have you heard of anything like this. Can you become a Native American?
2007-06-14 06:50:04 · 11 answers · asked by issa's mom 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Other - Cultures & Groups
There are many Native American movements that allow anyone to join them in furthering their reconstruction of ancient native lifestyle and customs.
2007-06-14 07:20:39 · answer #1 · answered by nikola333 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Scam would be a very polite name for what this guy is doing. For anyone to become a member of a Federally Recognized Nation (or "Tribe") one has to be able to prove a direct lineage through birth, death, marriage records, to a person who appears on the Native Rolls. This of course differs from Nation to Nation. As an example if you wanted to join the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma you would have to be able to prove you have an ancestor who's name appears on the Dawes Roll, for the Eastern Band of Cherokee it would be the Guion Miller Roll. For different Nations the qualifications differ, but NONE of them will simply admit someone who fills out an application and mails it in. It simply doesn't work that way. And only Federally Recognized Nations receive any benefits from the Federal Government.
Their are people out their who "prey" upon people seeking knowledge about Native Americans, but the people doing the "preying" don't have a clue as to what being Native American means. Don't fall for anyone saying you have to pay to join a "tribe" is just isn't so.....
2007-06-14 21:26:28 · answer #2 · answered by Coolrogue 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
While many people have American Indian ancestry, only those who are documented, lineal descendants of those on the respective tribe's base roll(s) can become citizens of a federally recognized tribal nation. Many tribes also require a minimum blood quota.
This "leader" you speak of is self-proclaimed. He may or may not be a descendant of an American Indian. Many people (descendants and not) sometimes come together to form social groups to honor/preserve/share common American Indian heritage and can even call themselves a tribe. (There is no license or trademark on the word "tribe.") No "benefits" would come to those who join such groups other than those of friendship and common cause. Federal benefits are reserved for those who are members of a federally recognized tribe. The process of becoming federally recognized in this day and age is tedious. Those groups with legitimate claims can become federally recognized but through much effort and legal maneuvering. Any group can enter the process of becoming federally recognized even if they know they do not have a chance of becoming federally recognized just so that they can say that they are in the process. The frivolous claimants tie up the proceedings and are part of the reason those with legitimate claims have to wait years and years to go through the federal recognition process.
2007-06-14 16:48:56 · answer #3 · answered by Brings Light 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
As an outsider it is not my place to speak for others and mean no attempt to do so.
However, I am full well aware that there are MANY fake "tribes" out there. (Far too many have websites and try to sound legit...) And yes, they pretty much all do seem to take applications from anyone and require a membership fee.
As much as some people may long to be accepted into something like a tribe...any that would take any random person with the money is bound to be fake. 99.9% of the time I'm pretty certain you actually have have blood ties to a tribe to have a chance at enrollment...
2007-06-14 20:39:40 · answer #4 · answered by Indigo 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My first question is who is this leader? Where is he located? And what nation is he speaking of.
Second, No you can not become Native American. You either are or you aren't.
There are those Nations who have "adopted" a Non-NDN into their nation - which is a high honor, but to become NDN - no....
Now there are many New Age folks and wannabes' out there who believe they are NDN, but reality is - I don't think so.
I am always weary of those folks - and I can guess what nation they are from before they even speak - Cherokee or Blackfoot....Makes me wonder where all these NDN'S came from.....
Check out the websites of the Dawes Rolls or DOI websites.
If you know where this individual is located, I would contact either your local Indian Center or Indian Affairs and have someone look into this.
2007-06-15 07:37:30 · answer #5 · answered by Seneca Nation 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
JOIN A TRIBE...DAYUM THATS FUNNY...BUT 95% PERCENT OF YOU THAT CLAIM NATIVE BLOOD ARE FULL OF POOP ANYWAYS...AND I BET HIS MEMBERSHIP WILL INCLUDE 99% WHITE PEOPLE YOU KNOW IF THERES ANYTHING LEFT TO TAKE FROM US...STARTING YOUR OWN TRIBES WOULD BE THE BEST WAY TO STOP CLAIMING REAL TRIBES AS YOUR CLAN!...OH AND ONLY A WHITE GUY WOULD BE TAKING APPLICATIONS FOR AN EXTINCT TRIBE..LOLOLOLOLOL
2007-06-15 05:44:25 · answer #6 · answered by bloodindian_kainai 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I guess a tribe can always adopt someone who is not Native American.
But you are right it does sound like a scam but stranger things have been real.
2007-06-14 13:56:15 · answer #7 · answered by nycguy10002 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
NO! There are NO FEDERALLY nor STATE recognised native americans on the eastside of the mississippi.....only transplants and the real cherokee down south.
2007-06-14 15:32:28 · answer #8 · answered by prairie fire 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Umm, IDK, IDTS, I think you actually have to have Native blood running through your veins.
Don't go through, it sounds like a scam. Someone is trying to be a charlatan.
2007-06-14 14:07:47 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, this wouldn't be federally recognized.
2007-06-14 13:52:50 · answer #10 · answered by angelfish 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋