How to Enroll in the Cherokee Nation

Of the over 500 Native American tribes recognized in the U.S., the Cherokee Nation has the largest membership. When the Europeans arrived in North America, the Cherokee people inhabited a large portion of the Eastern and Southeastern parts of the country. They are now concentrated from Missouri south to Oklahoma. Tribal registration is gaining popularity, as mixed-blood Cherokee are beginning to take a new found pride in their history. While enrollment varies slightly within each tribal government, the basic steps are the same.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

1. Research your family background to prove your lineage to the Cherokee people. Documents that can help you include birth and death records, census records, family bibles or newspaper clippings that mention names of your family members or even photos of ancestral headstones. The Western Cherokee Nation does not yet have federal recognition and only requires proof of native blood.
2. Use your lineage records to decide which band of Cherokee you descend from. This band may or may not have federal recognition, depending on location and history; however, most will accept enrollment applications. The five major bands of Cherokee accept applications for enrollment whether your lineage pertains directly to their location or not, but once enrolled in one you can not change to or enroll in another.
3. Contact the tribal offices of the band that you would like to register with and ask for an application. Some tribes, such as the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, will require that you contact the Bureau of Indian Affairs to obtain a Certified Degree of Indian Blood (CDIB) before submitting your enrollment application.
4. Fill out your application, once you have gathered all of your genealogy information and obtained your CDIB card if necessary. Always follow the instructions carefully, as each band will have slightly different regulations. Depending on the Nation you are enrolling with, you may have to pay an application fee. Most enrollment processes take several months before you get a response.

Tips & Warnings

• Many, but not all, Cherokee bands require that one of your ancestors be included on the roll of Indians involved in the Treaty of 1866, in order to be eligible for enrollment in the Cherokee nation.
• Having official tribal membership will not guarantee payment from the federal government. Tribal membership is not based on the amount of Cherokee blood you have; however, registration for federal benefits is. This is an entirely separate process which must be sought out directly from the U.S. Government's Bureau of Indian Affairs.