Is 1/32nd Enough?

This week, many of us became aware that a U.S. Senate Candidate (Elizabeth Warren) in Massachusetts had long claimed minority status because of her connection to one of the Five Civilized Tribes. Investigative reporters revealed that her tenuous relationship to Native American heritage could have provided her with hiring advantage and allowed her employers to tout their commitment to diversity. Now that the news is out, her candidacy could be negatively affected - all because she stated she had Cherokee roots.

A genealogist in Massachusetts conducted extensive research to determine the validity of Warren's claims. He found evidence that she was, indeed, descended from Cherokee ancestors - through a great-great-great-grandmother. While she might have found a silver bullet to save herself from future media probes, the connection to Native American ancestry is still a question of degree. Is 1/32nd enough?

As one opinion article in the New York Times pointed out, each tribe has different criteria to determine official membership. In years past, most people weren't clamoring to be identified as Native American - there was a stigma in many places - and assimilation was desired by many. However, the success of Indian Casinos and minority preference in hiring and education have led many people today to try to connect themselves to any branch of a tribal membership they can. As a result, tribal groups themselves have had to refine (or redefine) requirements - leading to even more controversial results. The Cherokee tribe itself recently expelled descendants of slaves the Native Americans took to Oklahoma in the 1830s while a cash-rich tribe in California recently "scrubbed" their membership rolls.

The U. S. government (Department of the Interior) points out that if you want to determine if you are eligible for membership in a federally recognized tribe, you need to contact the tribe, or tribes, you claim ancestry from. It is the individual tribes who set tribal enrollment requirements. Be warned: I've found some humorous references to how you may be perceived by others as you attempt to connect to a tribe (Wantabes and Outalucks). I suppose it may be worth the effort if you are able to finally achieve official recognition - but I'm not convinced it would be very easy.

If you are actually trying to establish a link to Native American ancestors, I recommend you review this article at Archives.com. Happy hunting!