My great-grandmother was 100% american indian. Based on her, my ethnic heritage includes 1/8th (12%) american indian.
Various forms ask for ethnicity. Can I check the box that says american indian if I'm 1/8th american indian? Are there any rules about this?
2007-12-07 09:25:33 · 10 answers · asked by J R 1 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Genealogy
i think it is what the majority of your genes are for example if you are 1% black and 99% white, you would put white.
2007-12-07 09:30:29 · answer #1 · answered by lazgerardo 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the only rule is common sense.
If you are 1/8 Native American and 7/8ths Irish... it would really be a kind of b.s. to mark the box for Native American.
The intent of the classifications is to define the MAJORITY of what you are.
2007-12-07 20:28:31 · answer #2 · answered by wendy c 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It depends on how you really identify yourself. It's cool to be something other than what you were raised as, but unless you have identified as Native since you were a kid, it's not really true - is it? I've copied and pasted a few guidelines in the reference section below.
So you know, some Native Americans get really upset at people whose great-grandmothers (or ggf's) were Native claiming Native ancestry. This is further compounded when said person is blond haired and blue eyed.
2007-12-07 18:53:04 · answer #3 · answered by chick2lit 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The LEGAL term for an American Indian is one who is enrolled with a US federally recognized tribe. As long as you are enrolled with a US federally recognized tribe you can mark the box no matter your blood quota.
I oversee a federally funded program for American Indians. I have a list of over 1500 people who have self-identified as American Indians. Only those who are tribally enrolled qualify, eliminating those who self-identify but are not tribally enrolled. However, there are others who have mixed heritage and self-identify as the non-American Indian Other but can and do qualify for my program because they are tribally enrolled.
2007-12-10 14:51:46 · answer #4 · answered by Brings Light 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Usually when they ask, it's for a poll. I am 1/4 indian, and depending on the certificate, I will put that I am. Since some of those polls lead to government funding.
2007-12-07 17:34:00 · answer #5 · answered by indiansbearsandangels 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
ok...if your Great Granma was 100% Native, you would be MORE than you claim...you would also look like a Native...if you dont walk a "Red-Road", speak the language,sing your tribal songs,name your lineage..etc,it doesnt "honor" those who actually DID if you claim to be Native on some form.
My feelng is, that she was NOT,but today it`s "romantic" to be thought to have some small degree of Native blood..but in reality[to us Natives anyway] we laugh at the "1/16th-ers" who claim blood. No,you are "American"...that`s all
2007-12-07 20:19:28 · answer #6 · answered by Doctor Fill 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
English forms normally have the lovely option of 'White European'
ding ding ding! That's my answer every time, otherwise it just gets confusing. Am I English, am I white, am I other? White European just fits. Perhaps they have something similar on your forms. 'White American' for example...
2007-12-10 11:07:45 · answer #7 · answered by English Rose (due 2nd May) 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is up to you, but unless you are raised in Indian culture, 12% being a minority, you should claim whatever your majority is. Or, better, mark "Other".
2007-12-07 20:02:56 · answer #8 · answered by Nothingusefullearnedinschool 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I've never heard of rules per se. Most of the time, that question is optional so that the people/business collecting the information do not discriminate. Personally, I usually mark "other" b/c it is none of their business. :)
2007-12-07 17:53:12 · answer #9 · answered by mystikalyx 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sure, check it. It's none of their business anyhow.
2007-12-07 18:42:23 · answer #10 · answered by mollyflan 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋