Winnebago Tribe plans election to adjust blood quantum standard


The Thundercloud Singers at the Winnebago Tribe's powwow in July 2015. Photo from Facebook

The Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska might change its blood quantum criteria.

Membership is currently open to anyone with at least one-fourth "Winnebago Indian blood and blood of another federally recognized Indian tribe," according to the constitution.

But the standard, which was adopted in 2009, does not specify the level of Winnebago blood so a proposed change would require prospective members to be at least one-eighth Winnebago, The Sioux City Journal reported. The one-fourth Indian blood requirement would remain and current members would not be affected.

The proposal would also require appeals of enrollment decisions to be heard in tribal court, the paper said. Currently, the constitution charges the Bureau of Indian Affairs with handling disputes.

The tribe expects to hold a Secretarial election this summer.

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Winnebago Tribe seeks change to blood quantum requirement (The Sioux City Journal 4/15)

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