Dear Auntie I am half Dutch Irish and Cherokee and I’m very in tuned with my Cherokee lineage and learn as much as I can about the Cherokee traditions, culture, and language. I was wondering if it’s possible for me to be accepted into the Cherokee reservation? How do I get my tribal card?
Hey there!
Glad to hear that you’re connected and continue to stay connected with your heritage. Knowing who you are and where you come from is an important part of understanding who we are as people.
To your first question, “is it possible to be accepted into the Cherokee reservation?” I think what you’re asking is how do you become more accepted in your community. What I can say is you’re already a part of your community, which is a diverse mix of folks on and off the reservation. To be more involved, find out what band of Cherokee you come from. From there you can find your tribes official website and see what kind of local events are going on. You can give them a call as well and let them know what you’re looking for. If there are public events, you’re more than welcome to join in. Here you can start meeting people, making friends, and learning more about what’s going on at home.
For the second part of your question, “How do I get my tribal card?” Start by Google-ing your tribe’s official website. Every tribe has their own specific requirements, for example Cherokee Nation does not require blood quantum, but does require you have at least one direct descendant from the Dawes Final Rolls. You can do your own research by checking out the “Dawes Rolls” on The National Archives Catalog.
To complete your application you may also need to:
- Fill out their application
- Birth certificate / Social Security Card
- Proof of lineage – see above
You can also contact the Cherokee Nations Registration department at registration@cherokee.org 918-458-6980 OR 1-800-256-0671.
I’m glad you wrote in and hope this helps!
Best of luck, Auntie Manda
