Indian Heritage?

Question

Does anyone know of a legitimate agency that helps people establish their America Indian Heritage so they can be a part of the tribe? My friend is half Yaqui Indian.

Answer 1

I think all they need to do is provide proof that that their ancestors were Native American.  Sometimes that's easier said than done.  But if he/she can prove that ancestors did belong to the tribe generations ago then yes they can join.  Look up birth certificates and tribe rolls.  Contact the tribe as well for advice.  

If your friend is half that means one of his/her parents was full blooded or each parent was half. They very well could have been a tribal member.  If not then a grandparent, maybe

My husband is 1/4 blackfoot.  His mother half.  However his  grandfather was adopted by a white family and his birth cert states that he was white.  Which you can tell was not true.  We were never able to prove his ancestry by paperwork but he believes in his heart that he is.  We are considering a DNA test for him that will test 5 generations back, both male and female DNA.  Problem for him most DNA tests only mitrochondrional DNA-DNA that is passed from Mother to child.  The DNA would not have passed from his grandfather to his mother.  Doesn't make them less Native-just harder to prove through DNA.  If the DNA is from father to son-the y chomosome that is another surefire way to tell.  But if from father to daughter-no y chomosome is passed on because well the daughter is not a son.

Good luck.

Answer 2

er.....no....sorry!