How Do I Join a Native American Tribe?

How do I apply for enrollment in a tribe? After you have completed your genealogical research, documented your ancestry, and determined the tribe with which your ancestor was affiliated, you are ready to contact the tribe directly to obtain the criteria for membership.

Can anyone join an Indian tribe?

Every tribe has its own membership criteria; some go on blood quantum, others on descent, but whatever the criteria for "percentage Indian" it is the tribe's enrollment office that has final say on whether a person may be a member. Anyone can claim Indian heritage, but only the tribe can grant official membership.

How do you get accepted into a Native American tribe?

To become a tribe member you need to prove your connection to it. That means going back through history to find evidence of your heritage. Family tribal records are often the best way to do this. From birth certificates, marriage and death certificates, old school records…