Can I still claim my cherokee heritage even though...?

Question

I have blonde hair and green eyes ... and pale skin (that is if it's not summer.. then I get pretty naturally dark) but I'm mostly Irish.. with a little bit of Cherokee - it's more then enough to count for something legally concerning benefits from the government... but I don't look indian (apart from natural darkness in summer, and some subtle facial features).. should I just pretend I'm not?

Answer 1

You sound like me!!! I'm mostly Irish too but also Cherokee Indian, and I'm a dirty blonde with blue eyes and my skin sorta ranges from pale to super tan in the summer and ia hav sum of those subtle features too!!! Well you're Cherokee so I don't see why you can't say you are but if u dnt want ppl 2 know and its not a lot, then just say you're not I guess. But you are so you might as well say you are

Answer 2

I think it is important to claim every one of your nationalities!  It's where you came from.  Even though you don't look like it, doesn't mean you aren't and who cares if people call you a liar!  You know who you are and what your heritage is, not them.  My boyfriend looks 100% white boy, but he's half Spanish, and he still claims it even though to some people it sounds ridiculous!  And I have fractions of everything (I'm a mutt!) and claim them all =)

Answer 3

The ONLY ones who can LEGALLY claim to be Cherokee are those who are enrolled in a federally recognized Cherokee tribe.  There are many people who have Cherokee or other American Indian ancestry but are not enrolled.  Yes, it is a part of their heritage and they can and should claim their heritage.  However, being an American Indian is a LEGAL STATUS reserved for enrolled tribal members only.  So, to answer your question, just be truthful when claiming your heritage.  If you are an enrolled Cherokee, say so, if you are not then say so as well.