Cherokee descent facts for kids

Cherokee descent refers to people who have some documented Cherokee ancestors but are not officially citizens of a Cherokee tribe. Sometimes, people also use this term if they feel they are Cherokee, even without official documents or being recognized by the community.

Many Americans believe they have Cherokee ancestors. For example, in 2010, over 800,000 Americans said they had at least one Cherokee ancestor. However, at that time, there were only about 330,000 official Cherokee citizens across all recognized tribes. This shows a big difference between people who claim ancestry and those who are tribal citizens.

Becoming a Cherokee Citizen

There are three main Cherokee tribes that the United States government officially recognizes:

• The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (ECBI) in North Carolina.
• The United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians (UKB) in Oklahoma.
• The Cherokee Nation (CN) in Oklahoma.

Each of these tribes has its own rules for who can become a citizen. These rules are important because they define who belongs to the tribe.

Eastern Band Citizenship

To become a citizen of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, you need to meet these rules:

• One of your direct ancestors must be listed on the 1924 Baker Roll. This was a special list of people who were part of the Eastern Band at that time.
• You must have at least 1/16 Eastern Cherokee blood. This "blood quantum" is figured out from your ancestor on the 1924 Baker Roll. It's a way to measure how much direct tribal ancestry you have.

United Keetoowah Band Citizenship

The United Keetoowah Band has a rule that requires a person to have at least 1/4 Keetoowah Cherokee blood. This means a higher amount of direct tribal ancestry is needed.

Cherokee Nation Citizenship

For the Cherokee Nation, you must:

• Show documents that connect you to an enrolled ancestor.
• This ancestor must be listed on the "DAWES ROLL" Final Rolls of Citizens and Freedmen of the Five Civilized Tribes, Cherokee Nation. This roll also shows their "blood degree," which is another way to measure ancestry.

Understanding Tribal Identity

Being part of an Indigenous (Native American) community is about more than just having a distant ancestor. It often involves:

• Being an official citizen of a tribe.
• Sharing in the culture and traditions.
• Having close family connections within the community.
• Living as part of that community every day.

As scholar Kim TallBear explains, tribes have specific rules for who can be a citizen. These rules help show that a tribe officially recognizes you as one of its own. But even without official legal recognition, a tribal community can also accept you through social connections.

Why Some People Claim Cherokee Ancestry

"Self-identification" is when someone says they are Indigenous or have Indigenous ancestors, but the tribe they claim does not confirm or accept them. There are several reasons why people might self-identify as Cherokee or as descendants, even if they don't meet the official citizenship rules or are not part of the Cherokee community:

Cherokee Heritage Groups

• Many groups exist across the U.S. that explore Cherokee history and culture. Some of these groups require proof of Cherokee ancestry to join, but many others do not.
• There are also groups that claim to be tribes but are not officially recognized by the government. Some estimates say there are as many as 200 such groups.

Family Stories and Myths

• Many non-Indigenous American families have old family stories about having a Cherokee ancestor. These stories are sometimes called "Cherokee Princess Syndrome" or a family "Blood Myth."
• In the past, some African American families with lighter skin might have used Native American identity to describe themselves, sometimes to avoid being seen as only white or Black.

DNA Testing and Ancestry Claims

• Some people discover what they believe is Native American ancestry through DNA tests. After this, they might start looking for "Cherokee ancestral lines."
• However, it's important to know that "There is no DNA test to prove you're Native American" in a way that makes you a tribal citizen. Most people who find such ancestry through DNA tests still identify as white.

Challenges with Ancestry Claims

People who claim Cherokee descent but are not tribal citizens do not meet the rules to be considered Native American under laws like the American Indian Arts and Crafts Act. This law helps protect Native American artists and their work by making sure only actual Native Americans can claim their art as such.