<p>I have a question whether a 1/8th Native American can allow me to click 3 boxes on the common app. My father is 1/4th Native American and 3/4ths Caucasian, and my mother is Asian. We aren't registered to a tribe, and the only thing we have is my grandmother's Native American name, records, and our own heritage. Do you have to be registered to be allowed to claim to be part Native American? We know what tribe, but have no such records on dates or any other source of registration.</p>
<p>By far the largest American Indian tribe is the Wannabes - a tribe of basically white folk who romanticize over family rumors of some vague Native American ancestor, almost always a Cherokee for some reason, and who at convenient times suddenly embrace their questionable Indian heritage.</p>
<p>The point is, if you were raised as a Native American then put Native American on your app. But if you were raised as a white guy, be honest and check the Caucasian box.</p>
<p>The Cherokee were the largest tribe. Check a demographics map of Native American Indian tribes, and you'd be surprised to find out that they seem to cover about 60 percent of America. I see your point though.</p>
<p>from what I have learned (I am 1/8 Native American, Kickapoo Tribe, on my mom's side), Native American heritage must come through the mother's side. Don't ask me why--that's just what I've been told from my tribe.</p>
<p>Most of the apps I've seen(and pretty much anywhere else I've been asked to put down ethnicity) asks you for your tribe as well. So don't BS them. It's not like they're accepting 5,000 Indians a year and don't have the time to check and make sure some white guy with a little in him(you) is trying to pull a fast one. Besides, you're multi-racial anyway which is good enough.</p>
<p>I'm 1/8 Cherokee (coincidence?), I think, from my dad. I wouldn't mark Native American, just because I don't consider myself Native American. I don't think it counts. And I'm definitely not a registered member of any tribes.</p>
<p>I actually think the cutoff is 1/4, I should ask my roommate. He's 1/2 creek, haha, (he definitely embraces his ethnicity, unlike many who are 1/8 or less)</p>
<p>Actually, I think that you can mark it down on apps down to 1/16, but, yeah, ethically it's a different story.</p>
<p>OP: You don't have a tribe. So when you say "our heritage", what do you mean? Do you consider yourself Native American? Do you observe the traditions and customs of whatever tribe your grandmother belonged to? If not, it's not going to help you at all to put down Native American, especially since you don't have tribal ID.</p>
<p>Be honest. You are not Native American, especially if you are not even in a tribe. That affirmative action boost was intended with good purposes for actual Native Americans. Look at yourself in the mirror. Do you look Native American? Is that culture truly a part of who you are? If so, then put it; if not, don't.</p>
<p>I don't want to turn this into a AA battle but how common is it for people with hints of native american to claim Native American heritage? I know people at my school (private for that matter) with 1/8 or less who are marking them selves native american despite the fact they dont see them selves as Native american at all</p>
<p>Dont colleges pick up on it?</p>
<p>Its all up to you to decide if it is ethical.</p>
<p>Hypothetically speaking, what if you're 1/8th Native American, but you really identify with the Native American culture? My friend is 1/8th Cherokee, but her grandmother (1/2 Cherokee) really taught her about the culture.</p>