Biometrics in Indian Country: The Bloody fight for Authenticity
Tiffany Waters
Volume 6, Number 1 (2005) 6 (1): 30-41
Keywords Blood Quantum, Colonialism, Tribal Membership, Self-colonization, Legislative Background, Tribal Enrollment, Mixed-blood individuals, Native Community Identity, American Indian Politics, Traditional Inclusion Methods in Native Communities, DNA Testing Impact on Native American Identity
Abstract
This article explores the contentious issue of blood quantum in defining American Indian identity and tribal membership, highlighting the historical context, legislative background, and implications of self-colonization within Native communities. The reliance on blood quantum criteria is argued to lead to in-group conflict and erode the authenticity of American Indian identity. It discusses the impact of the Dawes Act on Native American identity, emphasizing the fixation of blood quantum in official records and the challenges faced by mixed-blood individuals in asserting their heritage. The article also addresses the controversial use of DNA testing and advocates for abolishing blood quantum as a measure of Indian identity to preserve the authenticity of Native communities.
Tiffany Waters
Published September 1, 2005
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
Copyright (c) 2025 Tiffany Waters (Author)
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