The Legal definition of a Native American is a member of a Federally Recognized Tribe. Here is the actual list from the Dept. of the Interior/ Bureau of Indian Affairs it is updated regularly visit: http://www.census.gov/pubinfo/www/FRN02.pdf
When someone claims they are Native American ask to see there Tribal membership card, write down number and Tribal affiliation and simply call the Tribe to verify they are an actual member. Caution there have been some fake cards printed that is why it is SO IMPORTANT to verify there claims. You will NOT offend an actual Native American for asking this and checking!!! This PROTECTS EVERYONE!!! Federally Recognized Tribes are the list of Indians that existed back in the late 19th century when ALL NDNS were put on the Federal Roles. This sounds like a very long time ago but actually for Natives living today it was our Grand or Great Grand Parents that were put on the Federal Roles. Federally Recognized Tribes require PROOF of actual Blood Quantum to be a member.
There are MANY NON-Native Americans that claim they are Native. They are NOT!!! Why because they CANNOT PROVE they are a member of a Federally Recognized Tribe. There are MANY fake tribes and even state tribes that exist today. The FAKE tribes REQUIRE no PROOF of heritage and anyone can join if you have the membership fees. These Exploiters not only claim a heritage they do NOT belong to but they also attempt to claim they are leaders, teachers, and perform Ceremonies they have NO LEGAL right to do!!!!! I work with The American Indian Movement-Sarasota to Preserve and Protect Native American Culture, Traditions, and Ways of Life. I would like to make one final point. If it was the proper and correct thing to do, as a proud Native American I would be out there holding public Ceremonies at every opportunity. But myself and the 9 Million other Native Americans DON;T DO THIS!!! PLEASE don’t support Native American Exploiters.
I do not like it when I see a fake Indian, man or woman, yet some of our dance societies invite or adopt these white people. They bring their financial support but its not a good thing to endorse.
What is much worse is when a less than 1/8 gets a degree of Indian Blood and exploits that for his own advantage. Building himself up while degrading the Natives. He uses other Breed Indians who don’t belong in either society or not accepted by their Nations, because they never grew up there or claimed to be Indian until they see it might help them in their own personal growth in the white society.
I say much worse for these “come lately Breeds” have a drop of Indian Blood, yet there are some white people that just plain want to support the Nations and have absolutely no alterior motive.
These “come lately Breeds” do not support any endeavor the Natives fight for, they say its crying about the past, stop crying over the Blood spilled, get over it. They support keeping the Mascots, they will walk for the Iranians in their fight, but not for the Indians, calling them professional protestors. These Breeds never give the Indians support yet they use the one drop blood to exploit.