Native American ancestry facts for kids

When we talk about Native American ancestry in science, it means looking at your DNA to see if your family tree connects to people who lived in the Americas long ago. These were the first people to live on these lands. However, it's important to know that a DNA test cannot prove if someone is truly Native American. It also cannot tell you which specific Native American tribe your ancestors belonged to.

Scientists who study DNA have found that the DNA of Native Americans is most similar to people from East Asia. This is because the first people in the Americas came from a region called Siberia a very long time ago. Their DNA also shows some links to people from Western Eurasia, which points to their shared ancestors from that ancient Siberian population during the Upper Paleolithic period, also known as the Stone Age.

What DNA Tests Can Tell You

DNA tests can be interesting, but they have limits, especially when it comes to ancestry.

How DNA Ancestry Works

DNA tests look at tiny differences in your DNA. These differences can give clues about where your ancestors might have come from. Scientists compare your DNA to large databases of DNA samples from different parts of the world. If your DNA matches patterns found in a certain region, the test might suggest you have ancestry from there.

What DNA Tests Cannot Do

It's very important to understand that DNA tests cannot tell you everything about your family history.

• They cannot prove if you are a member of a Native American tribe.
• They cannot tell you which specific tribe your ancestors belonged to.
• They cannot replace family stories, cultural traditions, or official tribal records.

DNA Ancestry in the United States

In the United States, many people wonder about their family roots. DNA tests can sometimes show a small amount of what companies call "Indigenous American ancestry."

How Much Ancestry Do People Have?

The amount of "Indigenous American ancestry" found in DNA tests varies among different groups of people in the U.S.

• For African Americans, DNA tests show an average of about 0.8% Native American ancestry.
• For European Americans, the average is even lower, around 0.18%.
• For Latinos, the average is higher, about 18.0%. This is because many Latino families have deep roots in the Americas and their ancestors often include Indigenous peoples.

Identity vs. Ancestry

It's very important to know the difference between having "Native American ancestry" (what a DNA test might suggest) and having a "Native American identity."

What is Native American Identity?

Kim TallBear, a scientist and author who is part of the Dakota tribe, explains this clearly. She says that Native American identity is not about a DNA test. Instead, it's about:

• Kinship: Being connected to a family and community.
• Citizenship: Being a member of a recognized tribe.
• Culture: Sharing traditions, language, and ways of life.
• Community: Living as part of an Indigenous community every day.

She stresses that identity is about real-life connections and belonging, not just a distant ancestor found through a DNA test. Many people who find a small amount of Native American ancestry through DNA tests still identify as white and do not become part of a Native American community.

Latin American Ancestry

In Latin America, families often have a mix of different ancestries. People may have ancestors who were:

• Native American (Indigenous to the Americas)
• European
• African
• Asian

Many Latin Americans today have ancestors from two or more of these groups, showing the rich mix of cultures and histories in the region.