How Do I Gain a Tribal Affiliation?
- 1). Know the tribe from which you have ancestry. Many Americans have ambiguous claims to an Indian ancestor in their family line (often Cherokee) but no real knowledge about their history. It is also true that many Americans have legitimate Native American ancestry they have been cut off from due to prior American policies of forced assimilation. Either way, in order to establish tribal affiliation, you must know what tribe you came from.
- 2). Do a thorough genealogy search if you don't have specific information about your Indian ancestor. You can try to do this yourself based on Internet searches, or you can hire a genealogist who specializes in researching Native American ancestry.
- 3). Contact the tribe once you have established your connection to find out enrollment criteria. Most tribes have websites, which often include the guidelines for enrollment. You will most likely need to be able to document your Indian blood quantum -- how much Indian blood you have. By law, tribes can set their own rules for tribal enrollment, and most still have minimum blood quantum requirements, such as one-quarter or one-eighth, however some do not. If you do not meet the blood quantum requirement, find out if there is a status for lineal descendency. While you most likely won't qualify for the benefits available to enrolled members, you can qualify for other federal benefits available to Native Americans with descendent status.
- 4). Gather together the necessary documentation required by the tribal enrollment office. They will want your birth certificate and may request birth certificates of your ancestors. Other documentation you may be able to produce could come from the Dawes Rolls (a survey the federal government conducted in the 1800s to identify Indians for the allotment of tribal lands), the Guion Miller Rolls (Cherokee only) and U.S. Census records.
- 5). Follow up on the tribal enrollment office's request for documentation. If you meet the criteria for enrollment, you can also apply for a Certificate of Degree of Indian Blood (CDIB) card from the Bureau of Indian Affairs. It's not necessary, but for some people it is further validation of their Indian identity.
Source...