Cherokee ancestry?

Question

I know, I know, alot of people claim to be 'INDIAN'

My dad was born in Oklahoma to a full-blood cherokee and a white mother, his dad, my grandfather was registered on the roll when he was 9 years old. I know the roll number. it is PROVEN his dad was full cherokee.

my dad spent 5 years in an 'indian boarding' school.

I didn't know my grand parents on that side.

my dad was very dark and native american looking.

(my mom is from arkansas and 'white') so what does that make a person? 1/4 american indian 3/4 'white'

part native american? or still caucasian?

I get the YOU LOOK mixed thing alot.

on papers, I just put caucasian..anyone else have this mixed ancestry? serious answers please!

Answer 1

You can only say you are native american if you are enrolled with a federally recognized tribe. Make sure you are enrolled. When my chjildren (7/64 Creek) needed medical care we went to the tribal clinic in San Diego and barely had to pay anything.  There are a lot of benefits. And even more if you live on the reservation.

On their school records, they are listed as natives.

Answer 2

A lot depends on where you are checking "papers".. one issue is that many such things only offer a limited number of options, when in reality, a huge number of persons in today's world are mixes.  You are 1/4th Native American.  And kudos to you, for understanding that documentation is critical (how many people don't grasp this!!).  

As for others having this ancestry, I'd wager that many persons who trace back to OK, will have Cherokee background.

Answer 3

If your father is one half Cherokee, then you're one quarter Cherokee.  How you identify yourself is up to you.  You'd be telling the truth if you started checking the box for "Native American," "multi-racial," or "other" instead of "Caucasian."