printer friendly version
DNA tests being used to bolster Indian heritage claims
Tuesday, August 30, 2005
The Los Angeles Times and Wired Magazine are running stories about the use of DNA tests to confirm Indian ancestry.
Both stories focus on the Freedmen of the Five Civilized Tribes of Oklahoma. After the Civil War, the tribes signed treaties that required them to treat African-American descendants as citizens.
But Freedmen are finding that the treaties mean little today. Through the implementation of the Dawes Act, in which the tribal land base was broken up, "Black" Indians were placed on separate rolls. The Five Civilized Tribes use the Dawes rolls to establish membership so people whose ancestors weren't on the list can't get enrolled.
To bolster their claims, the Freedmen took DNA tests offered by African Ancestry Inc., a Washington, D.C., company. The tests showed that many had Indian blood but the percentages weren't as high as expected. Still, some say it is proof that they have Indian ancestors
The Freedmen aren't the only ones in Indian Country turning to DNA either. The Meskwaki Tribe of Iowa requires DNA to prove paternity. The Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation of Connecticut seeks genetic testing of newborns.
Get the Story:
Ancestry in a Drop of Blood
(The Los Angeles Times 8/30)
Username:
indianz@indianz.com, Password:
indianzcom
Blood Feud (September 2005)
Relevant Links:
Freedmen Conference -
http://www.freedmenconference.com
Related Stories:
Freedmen descendants use DNA to show Indian
blood (06/03)
Column: Civilized
Tribes owe reparations to slaves (03/11)
Cherokee Nation seeks role in Freedmen lawsuit
(02/21)
Cherokee Freedmen caught in
high-level dispute (8/20)
Tribes not
always following treaties on Freedmen (2/18)
Cherokee Freedmen sue BIA for
disenfranchisement (8/12)
Seminole
Freedmen rebuffed by Supreme Court (06/29)
McCaleb letter on Seminole
recognition (12/20)
BIA
said to recognize Seminole council (12/2)
Seminole chief Chambers disputes
charges (11/05)
Seminole
members move to oust Haney (10/11)
Locks changed on Seminole Chief
Haney (10/8)
Haney takes
control of Seminole Nation (10/4)
Seminole tribal members protest BIA
(10/2)
BIA won't
recognize Seminole council (9/30)
Shut 'em down says Seminole's Haney
(9/26)
Court tackles
Seminole dispute (9/24)
Ruling expected on Seminole
leadership (9/10)
Tribe
to probe misuse of funds (9/9)
Seminole Nation to appeal gaming
fine (8/16)
Seminole
Nation ordered to stop gaming (8/15)
The Seminole Nation's hanging
chad (8/8)
BIA said to
accept Seminole leadership (7/15)
Resolution of Seminole dispute
sought in court (5/28)
McCaleb meeting with Seminoles
(5/24)
Seminole Nation
back in business (5/16)
Court decision kicks Haney out
(5/15)
Haney says tribal
profits withdrawn (5/14)
Seminole dispute continues
(5/10)
Haney opponents
still locked in (5/9)
Court
decision rocks Seminole Nation (5/8)
Haney opponents locked in (5/8)
Seminole's Chief Haney restored
to power (5/7)
Black
Seminole appeal planned (5/1)
Black Seminoles dealt setback
(4/30)
Opinion: Seminole
Nation always black (4/22)
A
fight over funds, race (4/4)
Seminole Head Start funds OKed
(2/6)
Seminole changes sought
again (1/16)
Ousted Seminole
leader sues tribe, BIA (12/14)
Black Seminole issue still divisive
(10/29)
Suspended Seminole Chief to
sue (6/27)
Seminole Chief Haney
suspended (6/26)
Race part of
Seminole dispute (1/29)
Seminole
voters approve changes (7/7)
Seminole vote may affect Freedmen
(7/7)
Copyright © 2000-2005 Indianz.Com
