General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: "The real question is, does an Indigenous people claim anyone who claims to be one of us?" [View all]lapfog_1
(29,199 posts)which makes me 1/4 Cherokee... but I do not claim tribal membership. I have never claimed to be anything other than "white" on any form where the question is asked. I have never used my ethnic mixture for anything. Since I was not raised as a Cherokee... and never really knew any of my grandfather's people (he died before I was born)... why would I?
However, I dispute anyone from claiming I have no Native American blood. Of course I do.
My aunt (1/2 Cherokee) married a Sandia Pueblo Native American and lived at the reservation for most of her life. Her children live there (and there children) and I have visited her many many times.
We are all Americans. Born in Hawaii or Kansas or Maine... it doesn't matter. Immigrated from other countries... doesn't matter ( except for that pesky "can't be President" rule ).