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I am 1/4 Native American. I do not look it at all. My father who is 1/2 does. I don't consider myself anything other then "Caucasian" however I do embrace my heritage. I don't feel a need to mark that box or tell others. To each his own, though 1/32nd seems silly imo. They may be quite proud of it.
A basic tenant of tribal sovereign is the ability to decide who qualifies for membership in a particular tribe. The Cherokee Nation has opted for a rule whereby one qualifies for membership based on lineal descent to a Cherokee by blood on the Dawes Rolls; there's no set blood quantum outside of this requirement. One's Cherokee by blood ancestor on the Dawes Rolls may have only been 1/64 Cherokee, thereby making one less far less racially Cherokee than Baker. Still, one would be, just like Baker, 100% a member of the Cherokee Nation.
As for the larger question: no, I don't consider the current Cherokee Chief to be racially Native American, much like I don't consider Barack Obama to be black (he's biracial, as much black as he is white). Still, he is clearly a member of duly Federally-recognized Indian tribe.
He looks nothing like a Native American not even full blood but elected a Chief? What a slap in the face for the Cherokee Nation.
He was elected "chief" via the Cherokee Nation on a vote, not on how he looks. As long as one is a member of the Cherokee Nation they may run for tribal office. Bill John Baker is registered 1/32 by blood. Cherokee Nation (as well as a few others) determine enrollment of verified lineage not blood quanta. Cherokee look at one another as family, not blood quanta. Regardless of where one's ancestor(s) fall in the family tree, no matter what your CDIB card says... you are family. You are kin.
Many people in the Cherokee Nation who are of mixed blood have citizenship via an ancestor(s).
Although they are not fullbloods, citizenship is extended through a Cherokee ancestor(s). It is up to the tribe where it ends. Keetoowah Cherokee is 1/4 and Eastern Band is 1/16.
Most American Indians (US and Canada) know this side of the politics. Of course you are just spewing?
No, I am not enrolled. I rather doubt I would be eligible. Irregardless, I was not raised in the culture of the Confederated Salish & Kootenai nation.
Ok, and it seems that you need a 1/4 blood quantum from what I can tell. I asked because I've found that enrolled tribal members may be more connected to their tribal culture, regardless of their blood quantum.
The above cartoon is unamusing to me and I find it inappropriate for the genealogy forum.
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