<p>We have a tribal card…my mother in law got them for all the grand kids. Took over a year to get. I “think” you can get one up to 1/32 blood???</p>
<p>Each tribe is allowed to set its own requirements for tribal membership. </p>
<p>For example, to be an enrolled member of the Navajo tribe, you must be at least 1/4 blood.</p>
<p>californiaaa-- here’s the BIA’s guide to tracing your Native American ancestry:</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.bia.gov/idc/groups/public/documents/text/idc002656.pdf[/url]”>http://www.bia.gov/idc/groups/public/documents/text/idc002656.pdf</a></p>
<p>Tribes set their own criteria about who to and not recognize.</p>
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<p>My grandmother left Canada because, at the time, they were treated worse there than in the US. My point is that the Canadian tribes whose defined range touches a US border, either northern 48 or southern Alaska, are covered (Salish and Nootka, for example). Historical range and cultural differentiation were much less defined. A kid raised outside the tribal lands who “looks” Native American will face the same type of prejudice and discrimination in our society, but gets no consideration without the tribal card. Other minorities have less strict definitions.</p>
<p>I’m not complaining about my case - I look European, went to a good suburban HS and we could pay for my education. I would not have checked the box regardless. But if you qualify, by all means, use it.</p>
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Maybe a better way to say it is you only get an admission and scholarship boost if you come from a US tribe since the US didn’t take any land from Canadian tribes…</p>
<p>Holy cow!! We applied for her tribal card march 2012 and when I called yesterday to get an update, they said it is in a pile with thousands of others!! My dd is a senior and needs the card for her application. Cherokee nation said to put their FAX # on the application and them it will be processed sooner…sounds crazy. Any advice on how to proceed with this?</p>
<p>^BIA takes forever for CDIB, if you already have a CDIB then Cherokee Nation would handle the tribal card which can take up to a year or two depending on number of applicants. You have to have a CDIB or apply for both at the same time to get the tribal card. I would suggest doing what the Cherokee Nation recommended and finding out if they have a specific case worker/clerk who handles Cherokee Nation and contacting said clerk directly.</p>
<p>2RedHares is absolutely right. BIA took forever to process my kids’ CDIBs. </p>
<p>Dartmouth is a wonderful, amazing school. They have several fly in programs and at least one that is just for Native American students. My daughter had the honor of being selected to attend a fly-in last fall. She loved Dartmouth and especially the Native house and the Native students. There is a fly-in this fall in Oct and the application is on their website right now and due shortly. </p>
<p>Dartmouth also has fantastic financial aid.</p>