It is not a “golden ticket.” But it is a hook.
You do not have to be 25% to be considered any URM. Sometimes, it pays to check these things before confusing others.
Some tribes allow for, eg, 1/64, for registration.
@ErinsDad I’ve never heard of that! For my tribe at least, it’s inherited. I’ve had a card since I was born. I think it’s the same with my Creek and Choctaw friends.
@Embem04 Seminole Tribe of Florida has strict guidelines on who may apply for membership. An applicant must be a minimum of one quarter Florida Seminole blood, having at least one full-blooded Florida Seminole grandparent. They must be able to prove with written documentation that they are directly related to a Florida Seminole who was listed on the 1957 Tribal Roll. Finally, they must be sponsored by a current member of the Tribe. Each Native American tribe has their own requirements on who they are willing to consider for membership.
@embem04 It does help. My children are registered members of the Choctaw Nation. They have done very well in college admissions so far.
Hello, I’m a member of an enrolled tribe, and Nationally recognized activist.
There are 567 Federally recognized tribes, all extremely unique and located throughout our country.
There is no DNA or genetic testing that can establish what tribe you may be from therefore they are inconclusive. Do not buy the DNA kit from the Maury show!
You will need to trace your heritage and lineal descent to an enrolled member of a specific tribe or receive a Certificate degree of Indian blood through the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
This process can takes years and be very expensive because you will need to purchase every birth and death certificate back to the ancestor who was enrolled with a tribe.
Often those certificates will have a different ethnicity listed other than American Indian because many of our elders were afraid to identify as Indian. You will be lucky to find records in tact because many courthouses suffered catastrophes and loss of Records before they were digitally stored.
These are just a few obsticles. Even if you can, all of a sudden prove you are a new race, which you never knew before, or have any clue about. One does not just select a new race, check a box and gain entry to school.
If you discover you’re Native, please learn about your specific tribe, & do it from the elders on the tribal council! Our history books are full of inaccuracies and this is not something you can simply Google to learn about.
Fact: Native Americans suffer from the most despairing statistics of all ethnicities including: 504 % higher rate of alcoholism vs. Non Natives.
Highest dropout rate in high school.
Least represented ethnicity in college.
Highest rate of teen suicide. 2.5÷ higher than National average.
1 in 3 Native girls will suffer a sexual assault.
Native males under 25 suffer the most beatings at the hands of another race.
Our race is the only one depicted has a sports mascot causing misappropriation of our culture and others to mock our traditions.
We are survivors of genocide as there were bounties placed on the scalps of our ancestors and a mass effort to eradicate us.
Being Native is a pride and respect that cannot be learned quickly. It is more than a check in a box.
Learn more at: www.nativeNERDS.org or CNAY.org
I serve as a youth ambassador for President Obama with other exceptional Native youth creating change for our people. Check out Generation Indigenous !
Blessings -
1 Like
Thanks for stepping in, @KickingBear – your first-hand perspective and willingness to educate are very meaningful and appreciated. Best of luck with your work!
Thank you @marvin100 !! I appreciate your kind words.
@Dragonflygarden, the Choctaw have really figured out the selective college admissions game. I am surprised other tribes have not caught on. I love that y’all make the high and mighty trek to Durant.
Some tribes do not have a minimum blood quantum for membership. For instance, if your parent was a member of the Cherokee nation, then you can also be a member. Again, some tribes do not have that minimum requirement for blood quantum. Just identify with what you feel like you are, and check more than one box if you have to.