How do i find my census number and claim benefits for native american heritage?

Question

My bio dad is full blood indian and i have never met him. I do know that he was adopted by white folks and they passed away during the sixty's. All i know about him is his full name and birth date.

Answer 1

Tribal benefits depend on being enrolled, and enrollment depends on solid documentation of your lineage AND proof that an ancestor was on one of many Native Rolls (often the Dawes Rolls, but there are others).

So, first, you need to document yourself to dad.. but the next step (his documentation) is affected by being adopted. If he was LEGALLY adopted, his birth certificate shows the adopted parents.  If there wasn't an adoption, but it was informal.. then it might be different.

Even proving the lineage is not enough, if prior family was not enrolled. I think this is the number you are referring to.. census itself is not tribal and does not involve any number. Many native americans chose to not enroll, because they felt it was demeaning, or did not want to admit to being Indian due to prejudice.

If dad is living, his birth certificate is not legally available without his consent.  

Answer 2

Oh boy another person who doesn't know anything about their supposed Native American heritage/ancestry looking for a handout...

First of all YOU have to be able to prove you descend from someone on the base roll of the tribe your ancestors supposedly were part of.  To do this you have to be able to provide documented prove of that lineage, through birth, death, and marriage records.  You need to know which tribe your supposed NA ancestor was part of and contact them to find out which roll they use as their base roll and how much of a blood quantum they require (if any).  Example:  For the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma you would need to find an ancestor on the Dawes Roll, for the Eastern Band of Cherokee it would be the Baker Roll.  Every Federally Recognized Tribe or Nation has this requirement by law.  If the tribe you are trying to become enrolled in requires a blood quantum you will need to get a CDIB Card (Certified Degree of Indian Blood) from the BIA.

Now about benefits.  If your looking for free money forget it, it doesn't exist.  The Federal Government DOES NOT send out checks to people because they are Native American.  The government gives the Tribe or Nation money that is used for the Tribe or Nation.  That money has been less each year.  The money goes to build schools, hospitals, housing etc.

If your talking about free tuition for college that's not free either.   The Tribe or Nation does give some financial help.  But most students still end up taking our loans or applying for grants or scholarships.  And you would be one in 100's from the Tribe or Nation wanting that money.   So don't hold your breath....

Answer 3

Coolrogue is 100% correct.  Nothing is free.  We are NOT getting rich.

Here on the Navajo reservation the average annual income is only $4000.00.  We live below poverty level for the most part.  I was lucky and was able to attend college, now I help my people...

Will you help your people if you are able to???

Answer 4

You may not qualify for benefits. When babies were taken away and put up for adoption, many tribes severed their ties completely and won't recognize them again. At the moment you don't have a tribal ID number. I'm betting your dad doesn't either. If you don't know which tribe he descends from, there's nothing to claim because you don't have a relationship with the tribe. It's not enough that you have native blood in your veins, you also need to have a relationship with a specific tribe. Neither the US nor Canada will give you a BIA or First Nations identification card without certification from a tribal council. Your dad's adoption and lack of relationship with him pretty much closes that door.