How to Gain American Indian Citizenship

If you are related to an American Indian, you might be eligible to gain Indian tribal citizenship. Indian tribal nations are considered sovereign territory within the United States, and tribal citizens may hold dual citizenship with the U.S. and with the Indian nation. Tribal governments have different methods for establishing citizenship, including verification of blood-relative status, ancestry records in census rolls and DNA testing. After you do research into your possible right to citizenship, you can approach the Indian nation to apply for enrollment.

Instructions

1. Conduct genealogical research into your family tree, documenting your ancestors who are or were Native American tribal members. For example, discover if your grandparents lived on a reservation and were citizens of a particular Indian nation, and if that nation accepts this relationship as the basis for granting you citizenship. Gather supporting materials, such as a birth certificate and death certificate.

2. Examine census rolls tabulated by the U.S. government for records of your Native American relatives. Some tribes use census rolls as the basis for their nation's base membership rolls, and they may accept you as a citizen if you are related to someone on the roll. Find out if you must be a direct descendant or if you may gain citizenship through a distant relative.

3. Determine what percentage of American Indian you are through blood relation, such as one-quarter or one-sixteenth. If your ancestral tribe uses blood relation as a criterion, they may require you to have a minimum percentage of Indian blood. Submit to DNA testing according to the protocol of your tribe if the nation in which you seek citizenship requires genetic proof for membership.

References

• Native Languages of the Americas: Native American Genealogy: Reconnecting With Your American Indian Heritage
• Native American Netroots: American Indian Citizenship http://www.nativeamericannetroots.net/diary/379/american-indian-citizenship
• The Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Tribal Nation: Tribal Citizenship
• Oklahoma Historical Society: Essentials of Indian Citizenship: Tracing Your Indian Ancestor
• Council for Responsible Genetics: DNA and Tribal Citizenship