Are you Reconnecting? You are Not Alone.
Here on Turtle Island (North America), there are many hundreds of distinct Nations, Tribes, Bands, and Collectives. The greater Cincinnati region alone is home to at least 45 historic Tribes. Each possesses the sovereign right to determine who they claim as a citizen, who they are in kinship with, who is enrolled, and who is within their communities formally and informally.
The Urban Native Collective accepts the process of connection and we commit the following:
UNC will not actively or passively stop the process of Tribal/Nation/Band connection.
UNC will not participate in lateral violence.
UNC will not participate or contribute to identity policing.
UNC honors and respects those with Afro-Indigenous/ Black-Indigenous identities as whole, intact, and undivided from this land.
UNC does not claim to be an authority on who belongs and/or who does not belong to any Tribe/Nation/Band/Community.
UNC honors Tribal sovereignty and self-determination.
UNC recognizes and respects the Indigeneity of NHPI Peoples from the United States territories of Guam, Hawai’i, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands who represent diverse and unique cultures.
At the Urban Native Collective, we extend our hands in an old way of welcoming to those who are walking the path of reconnecting with their communities, their lands, and the living history of their people. In the expanse of Turtle Island, numerous Indigenous communities assert their presence—each upholding its sovereignty, each rooted deeply in its own sacred traditions and ways of knowing.
Reconnection can be a life-long journey. While we are here to educate, support, and advocate, the Urban Native Collective does not offer services to connect individuals with information about their genealogy. We also hold that a DNA result is not evidence of connection or culture. This understanding guides our support, recognizing that the path to reconnecting with one's culture and community is not straightforward and that identity is complex woven from many strands beyond the genetic.
“Reconnection can be a life-long journey. While we are here to educate, support, and advocate, the Urban Native Collective does not offer services to connect individuals with information about their genealogy. We also hold that a DNA result is not evidence of connection or culture. ”
Our Peoples have always been the original stewards of these lands, guiding the rhythms of life through cycles of growth, harvest, and renewal. Yet, the shadows of boarding schools, the '60s Scoop, and policies of erasure have attempted to dim the light of our connection to each other and our profound sense of self within our cultures. But our Elders teach us through stories and silence, through the land itself, to hold space for those returning. For in each of us lives the ancestral knowledge and the enduring spirit of our Nations.
The stories of those who have journeyed back to their communities, relearning the old languages, reviving suppressed traditions, and healing the wounds of identity, are the stories that inspire and drive us. These narratives are not just of survival but of flourishing, reinforcing the resilience of our cultures and the enduring power of our ancestral connections.
In our commitment, the Urban Native Collective stands firmly against any form of identity policing or lateral violence. We honor the sovereignty of each Tribe, Nation, and Band, recognizing and upholding the right of self-determination for all our people, including those of Afro-Indigenous and Black-Indigenous heritage, whose histories and futures are inseparable from this land.
Looking forward, we envision a future rich with the promise of our traditions, a future where our children are raised in the safety of extended community networks, where our teachings are lived daily, and where we can all can find our place in the circle. This is the commitment of the Urban Native Collective, a promise upheld by our Board of Directors and cherished by our community.
This is our pledge—to protect, to honor, and to thrive as Indigenous peoples, deeply connected to our lands, our languages, our medicines, and each other, as we have been since time immemorial.
The above statement crafted by Dawn Knickerbocker, Board President of Urban Native Collective, this statement was officially endorsed with a unanimous vote by the Board of Directors in September 2020. ©2020 Urban Native Collective. All rights reserved
Do I have Indian Blood?
THE ANSWER IS A LITTLE MORE COMPLEX…
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A. There are biological/genetic connections, yes, and also different cultural configurations including adoption/ intentional family-making, friendship, political camaraderie, who are a community and in Indigenous/ Native belonging. The simplest answer is that a Tribe claims you—you do not claim a Tribe in terms of “enrollment” and belonging. Each Nation has the sovereign right to make their own determination as to the status of who belongs on their rolls. Oftentimes, people without tribal enrollment status will identify as a descendant, a relative, or other forms of belonging. All valid. We suggest you build community as a first step in your journey home.
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A. It is relationships. There is Indigenous knowledge of "making kin" including a shared identity and interactions between living and dead, nature, and human. The kin, or relatives, include all the natural elements of an ecosystem. Indigenous people are affected by and, in turn, affect the life around them. Without human recognition of our role in the complexities of life in a place, the life suffers and loses its sustainability. Indigenous cultural models of nature include humans as one aspect of the complexity of life. Native Americans are diverse peoples with many different languages, cultures, forms of governance, and spiritual traditions and yet, all share this knowledge of kin. Learning and knowing how to be in relationship is important, as well as how to be a good relative, and how to acknowledge your kinship to a Tribal Nation and to the land.
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A. Despite extensive diversity, there are societal assumptions that Native Americans and Indigenous Peoples are a monolithic group with significant commonalities in their features. Just look at the stereotypical “Indian mascots” or the other racist imagery. Unfortunately, these stereotypes lead to the expectation that Native Americans/ Indigenous Peoples share certain commonalities related to their appearance; in particular skin color, hair texture, and phenotypical features. In reality, Native people are extraordinarily diverse in how they appear. It is important to not judge a person’s identity or belonging based on their skin color or physical appearance.
How do I prove that I have Indian Blood?
WELL, LET’S UNPACK THAT…
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A. Tribal Nations are sovereign entities that control their own citizenship and establish their own requirements for enrollment, citizenship, and/or membership. For instance, the Navajo Nation requires members to possess a minimum of one-half Navajo blood, while the Cherokee Nation does not have a blood quantum requirement but necessitates direct lineage from the Dawes Rolls. These tribes issue tribal enrollment cards that function similarly to passports, serving as official identification and affirming the holder’s rights within the tribe.
The "Indian Card" or "Status Card" commonly refers to the Certificate of Degree of Indian or Alaska Native Blood (CDIB) issued by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA). This card verifies an individual's lineage as belonging to a federally recognized tribe, but it is important to clarify that the CDIB itself does not grant citizenship within a tribe. Tribal Nations have their own sovereign authority to determine membership and enrollment criteria, and they issue separate tribal enrollment cards to their members.
It's also essential to note that the CDIB card is not a universal form of identification nor does it grant dual citizenship. Instead, it is used primarily to certify an individual's degree of Indian blood and can be problematic to sovereigns.
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A: The Indian Reorganization Act of 1934 marked a significant point when blood quantum began to be used in federal Indian law to define Indian identity officially. This colonized system measures an individual's Native American ancestry by specifying a certain percentage of "Indian blood" needed for tribal membership.
Blood quantum was never a part of Native American traditions. Prior to these colonial laws, tribes determined membership based on factors like kinship, residence, and cultural involvement. The introduction of blood quantum was aimed at assimilating Native Americans into so-called "American society," controlling tribal enrollment, and managing treaty obligations, often diminishing tribal populations and threatening tribal sovereignty and cultural continuity.
The concept of being "full blooded" involves having a blood quantum of 100%, but this is a complex and often controversial designation. It does not necessarily reflect one’s cultural connection, enrollment, or ancestry in tribal traditions. Over time, the relevance of blood quantum has been questioned, with some tribes choosing to define membership based on lineage, cultural engagement, or community acceptance instead of blood percentage.
If you're exploring your own blood quantum or its implications for tribal enrollment and recognition, it is advisable to directly contact your specific tribe. Each tribe has distinct membership criteria and their own definitions of what constitutes being "full-blooded." This direct approach ensures you receive the most accurate and relevant information for your circumstances.
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Reconnecting with your tribal heritage is a significant and enriching journey that not only involves learning about your ancestors and cultural history but also engaging with the community and contributing to its future. Here are the first steps you can take, viewed through a social justice lens that respects and uplifts Indigenous sovereignty and identity:
1. Research Your Ancestry: Start by gathering information from family members, exploring family records, or using online databases to trace your lineage. Understanding where you come from is the first step in knowing which tribe(s) you may be connected to.
2. Contact Tribal Offices: Once you have an idea of your tribal affiliation, reach out to the tribal enrollment office of the respective tribe. They can provide specific information about enrollment criteria, which often includes proving ancestry and, in some cases, blood quantum. Engage respectfully, recognizing that tribes are sovereign nations with their own laws and enrollment requirements.
3. Learn About the Tribe's History and Culture: Educate yourself about the tribe’s history, culture, language, and current issues. This can involve reading books, attending cultural events and workshops, and visiting tribal websites or cultural centers. Understanding the past and present struggles and achievements of the tribe is crucial.
4. Engage with the Community: Building relationships with community members is essential. Participation in community events, ceremonies, and other social activities can help strengthen your connection to the tribe. This is also an opportunity to listen and learn from elders and other community members.
5. Contribute to the Tribe's Future: Consider how you can contribute positively to the tribe. This might involve volunteering, participating in community planning meetings, or supporting tribal businesses and programs. As you seek to reconnect, think about what you can bring to the community in terms of skills, knowledge, and advocacy.
6. Reflect on Your Connection: Understand that reconnection can be a complex process, emotionally and socially. Be patient with yourself and the process, and be open to learning and sometimes unlearning. It's also important to approach this journey with humility and respect for the fact that tribal identity involves communal relationships and responsibilities, not just individual rights.
7. Advocate for Indigenous Rights: As you reconnect, you might become more aware of the social and political issues facing many Indigenous communities. Use your voice and platform to support tribal sovereignty, advocate for the rights of Indigenous peoples, and respect tribal lands and treaties.
Can someone be Black & Native?
YEP.
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A. Afro-Indigenous and Black Native Indigenous Peoples face a myriad of colonizer issues including erasure of their identities, colorism, anti-Blackness in Indigenous communities, and a complex web of historical, cultural, social, and political influences. Many Tribal Nations here in Ohio and especially along the East Coast have members and kin of African ancestry. There have been entire tribes disenfranchised due to perceived African ancestry. Today, the ancestry industry will celebrate diversity and multiculturalism along the white spectrum, but at the same time, upholds the idea of purity and authenticity of Native blood or African blood. This idea of not belonging is painful—UNC honors and respects those with Afro-Indigenous/ Black-Indigenous identities as whole, intact, and undivided from this land.
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A. Ideally, using a person’s preferred terminology and tribal affiliation is always best.
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A: Embracing your Afro-Indigenous identity involves both personal exploration and active community engagement. Start by educating yourself about the histories and cultures of the tribes and African ancestries you are descended from.
At the Urban Native Collective, we actively create spaces that acknowledge and respect the intersection of Blackness and Indigeneity. We offer outlets to participate in community discussions and events that focus on Afro-Indigenous experiences and contributions. These interactions can deepen your understanding while combating the long-standing effects of anti-Blackness within Indigenous communities. We have a lot of work to do.
Additionally, consider contributing to or volunteering with organizations that work towards racial equity and support Afro-Indigenous and Black Native rights. By actively participating in these spaces, you not only connect, but also help foster a community that honors the full spectrum of identities. Remember, your journey is both a personal and collective experience that contributes to the healing and strengthening of communal ties.
Can we unite diverse Indigenous communities while acknowledging our unique identities?
ABSOLUTELY, WITH CAUTION.
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A. PROBLEMATIC AT BEST.
'Pan-Indian' and 'Pan-Indigenous' movements seek to unite Indigenous peoples across different regions. However, the Urban Native Collective views these approaches with caution. By promoting a unified narrative, these movements risk reducing the diverse, complex identities of individual Tribes to a single, simplified narrative. This can obscure specific histories, cultures, and rights, perpetuating a colonialist view of Indigenous peoples as a homogeneous group rather than as distinct communities with their own unique attributes and sovereignties. -
The issue of 'Pretendians'—those who falsely claim Indigenous identity and profit from that claim—is multifaceted. While such claims can indeed siphon resources away from legitimate Indigenous needs and undermine the voices of genuine Indigenous communities, we should also recognizes the complexities involved. Some individuals may explore newfound connections to their heritage, yet this exploration must be approached with integrity, not merely for personal gain. Simultaneously, we caution against adopting 'papers please' tactics reminiscent of colonial legacies. These methods can lead to lateral violence within our communities and echo painful histories of imposed identity verification. Our stance is to foster an environment of accountability and respect, ensuring that claims of Indigenous and Tribal Nation-affiliated identity are treated with both seriousness and sensitivity to historical contexts.
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When individuals newly discover their Native American heritage and create platforms to speak for all Native Americans, several concerns arise. Firstly, without deep connections to their communities and a comprehensive understanding of the diverse experiences and histories, their representations may lack depth and authenticity. This can lead to oversimplifications or inaccuracies that do not reflect the true complexities of Native American experiences. Additionally, these actions can overshadow the voices of community members who have been actively involved and knowledgeable about their cultures for their entire lives. Ensuring that those who speak on behalf of Native Americans have a legitimate, recognized connection to their communities and a thorough understanding of what they represent is crucial to maintain the integrity and accuracy of Indigenous advocacy.
Our recommendation is to advocate within your community and wait until you are called upon to speak. -
Let's unpack this.
A. Addressing internal conflicts and biases in Indigenous communities calls for a profound engagement and a deep commitment to mutual respect and understanding. In the words of our board president, Dawn Knickerbocker, "We are meant to know our songs, our languages, our plants, our medicines, our traditions, and our kin. We are meant to be in relationship with this land." This connection underscores the importance of coming together to address and heal internal divisions, ensuring that we not only survive but thrive.
Educational initiatives that delve into our shared histories and cultural practices can illuminate the common values that bind us, fostering a sense of unity. By promoting dialogue that is rooted in empathy and inclusiveness, we respect the diverse experiences within our communities while building on the shared connection to our land and ancestors.
This collective effort ensures that we honor our ancestors and create a nurturing environment for future generations, living up to the vision that we are all meant to be together, as voiced by our leaders and elders.
Reconnection, Accountability, and Indigenous Identity Fraud
Reconnection and ethnic fraud are different.
Colonization disrupted Native families through warfare, forced removal, boarding schools, adoption, child removal, relocation, allotment, racial reclassification, and generations of policies designed to separate Indigenous peoples from our Nations and one another. Those histories continue to shape Native identity today. People have every right to research their family histories, seek relatives, learn about their ancestors, approach a Tribal Nation, and begin the long work of rebuilding relationships.
Reconnection begins with truth.
Indigenous identity fraud, sometimes called ethnic fraud or “Pretendianism,” occurs when someone falsely or deceptively represents an Indigenous identity, Tribal citizenship, community relationship, or Tribal authority. The consequences become especially serious when that claim provides access to money, employment, grants, contracts, scholarships, speaking opportunities, cultural authority, professional advancement, consultation roles, or resources intended for Indigenous peoples. UNC distinguishes between a person seeking connection and a person claiming authority.
A family story is a place to begin research. DNA can provide information about ancestry. Neither establishes Tribal citizenship, community belonging, cultural authority, or the right to represent a Tribal Nation. Tribal Nations determine their own citizens and this is an important expression of sovereignty. Families and communities also carry their own ways of recognizing kinship and relationship.
A person with documented Native ancestry can describe that ancestry accurately. A reconnecting person can say that they are reconnecting. A descendant can describe their relationship as a descendant. Each of these descriptions allows the relationship to develop without claiming a status or authority that belongs to the Nation itself.
Why does this matter in Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky?
The history of the Ohio River Valley makes this conversation particularly important. Forced removal separated many Tribal Nations from their Ohio Valley homelands. Today, sovereign Tribal Nations with deep historical and continuing relationships to these lands may have their governmental headquarters hundreds of miles away.
Ohio has zero federally recognized Tribal Nations headquartered within the state, even as dozens of federally recognized Tribal Nations maintain ancestral and historical connections to Ohio. And now, even land owned by Tribal entities.
Indiana recognizes zero state-recognized tribes. The federally recognized Pokagon Band of Potawatomi holds trust land in Indiana, and the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma maintains land and a cultural presence in its Indiana homelands.
Kentucky currently has zero federally or state-recognized Tribal Nations. The Kentucky Native American Heritage Commission promotes Native history, education, preservation, and public understanding within the Commonwealth.
These circumstances can create confusion. Schools, universities, museums, governments, funders, environmental organizations, media outlets, and nonprofits sometimes search for a geographically nearby “local Tribe” and encounter an organization using words such as tribe, nation, band, council, or confederacy.
Geographic proximity does not create Tribal sovereignty.
A nonprofit corporation, heritage association, cultural organization, urban Indian organization, or descendant community may serve an important purpose. Accurate identification matters. An organization gains Tribal governmental authority through the Nation and its political status, rather than through a nonprofit incorporation or religious organization, a membership card created by the organization, a public event, a land acknowledgment, or recognition from another local institution.
When consultation concerns Native lands, history, ancestors, cultural resources, repatriation, or Tribal rights, institutions should seek the sovereign Tribal Nations connected to those lands.
What does accountability look like?
UNC believes accountability can coexist with a welcoming approach to reconnection. For community participation, we encourage relationship, learning, humility, and accurate self-description.
When a person seeks to represent Native Peoples, teach culture as an Indigenous authority, receive Native-specific resources, or occupy a position designated for Native leadership, transparency becomes part of accountability. Appropriate questions include:
What Tribal Nation or community are you connected to?
How do you describe that relationship: citizen, enrolled member, descendant, relative, adoptee, or reconnecting person?
Does the Nation or community recognize that relationship?
Who has authorized you to speak on behalf of a Tribal Nation, when representation is part of the role?
These questions concern relationship and authority. Skin color, hair texture, facial features, surname, blood quantum, and stereotypes about what a Native person “looks like” provide zero reliable basis for determining belonging.
For organizations, institutions can conduct basic due diligence by checking the current Bureau of Indian Affairs list of federally recognized Tribal Nations, reviewing official state recognition records where applicable, and contacting the Tribal Nation directly when a person or organization claims governmental authority or official representation.
Native-led and Tribal are different designations.
An urban Native nonprofit can be Native-led. An intertribal organization can serve Native people from many Nations. A descendant organization can organize around genealogy or cultural learning. A Native artist can identify their specific Tribal citizenship or qualifying status. A Tribal Nation exercises sovereignty. Using these terms accurately protects everyone.
Why does ethnic fraud harm Native communities?
Identity fraud reaches beyond an inaccurate family story. False claims can redirect grants, jobs, contracts, fellowships, speaking invitations, media attention, land access, cultural resources, and professional opportunities. They can place people without community accountability in positions where they teach Native history, interpret sacred places, speak for Indigenous peoples, influence policy, or advise institutions. False Tribal entities create an additional harm. They can interfere with government-to-government relationships and place self-created organizations between sovereign Tribal Nations and their homelands. For peoples whose governments were removed from Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky, that harm carries particular weight. Removal should never become the reason a sovereign Nation loses its voice in its own homeland.
Our approach
The Urban Native Collective welcomes people who are doing the sincere work of reconnection. We also uphold the sovereign authority of Tribal Nations to determine their own citizenship, political relationships, representatives, and community boundaries. We encourage truth about what you know, clarity about what you are still learning, and respect for the people and Nations to whom you seek connection.
You do not need to become a Tribe to honor Native ancestors. You do not need to claim authority to begin reconnecting. Relationship comes with responsibility.
For institutions seeking Native partners in Ohio, Indiana, or Kentucky, UNC encourages direct relationships with federally recognized Tribal Nations connected to these lands and accurate identification of Native-led community organizations serving Native people today.
Our responsibility is to make room for people coming home while protecting the sovereignty, resources, voices, and authority of the Nations they are coming home to.
A Few Indigenous Identity Facts
FACT- MOST AMERICAN INDIANS/ALASKA NATIVES LIVE OUTSIDE OF RESERVATIONs.
In 2020, 78% lived outside of AI/AN tribal areas. Between 1977 to 2007, more than 1 million American Indians/Alaska Natives moved to metropolitan areas, "some by choice and some by force." Cincinnati has a history of one-way-tickets from reservations to the city.
FACT- NATIVE PEOPLES ARE A RICHLY DIVERSE GROUP OF PEOPLE.
We represent more than 600 Tribal Nations (Federal and State recognized) and 200+ languages across the United States. Tribal groups share similar experiences, but they have unique cultures with unique histories.
FACT- BEING NATIVE IS NOT JUST A RACE OR AN ETHNICITY.
There are 575 federally recognized tribes with political status as sovereign governments and having nation-to-nation relationships with the U.S. Members of federally recognized tribes are dual citizens, both of their tribal nation and of the U.S. In addition, there are more than 60 tribes recognized by states.
FACT- THE AMERICAN INDIAN/ALASKA NATIVE (AI/AN) POPULATION IS ON THE RISE.
25% of the Native population is Youth. The American Indian and Alaska Native population, alone and in combination with another race, increased from 5.2 million in 2010 to 9.7 million in 2020, a 86.5 percent increase. This brings the AI/AN population to represent 2.9 percent of the U.S. population. Of the 9.7 million, 3.7 million people self identified as AI/AN alone (1.1 percent of the U.S. population).
U.S. Census 2020
FACT- THE NATIVE HAWAIIAN POPULATION IS ALSO INCREASING
In Hawai'i, there are 298,000 Native Hawaiians representing 21% of the population. Nationally, there are more than 560,000 Native Hawaiians. By 2060, the Native Hawaiian population in Hawai'i is projected to reach 675,000, matching the estimated population in 1778 when the colonizers attempted genocide on the islands.
Mental Health Resources
Explore Pathways to Wellness Initiative
Navigating the journey of reconnecting with your tribal heritage can stir deep emotions and uncover hidden parts of your identity. It's important to have support during this profound experience. Our Healing and Counseling Program offers a safe space where you can find professional help attuned to the needs of Indigenous Peoples.
Whether you're dealing with questions of identity, the impact of historical trauma, or just looking for someone to talk to who understands- our grant-funded program is confidential and respectful of your unique cultural and personal background.
Visit our Healing and Counseling Program to learn more and access these resources.
Advocacy and Involvement
Join Our Efforts at the Indigenous Peoples Day Convergence
Get involved with the Urban Native Collective’s advocacy efforts to protect and promote Indigenous rights. Our annual Indigenous Peoples Day Convergence offers a platform for community members to unite, celebrate, and advocate for crucial issues affecting our communities.
Participate in workshops, panels, and activities that foster understanding and action. Whether you're new to advocacy or a seasoned activist, there's a place for you here.
Learn more about how you can make a difference at our Indigenous Peoples Day Convergence.
Other Resources for Reconnectors
National Congress of American Indians (NCAI): Advocates for tribal sovereignty and provides resources and policy development for Native communities. National Congress of American Indians
NDN Collective: Builds Indigenous power through organizing, activism, philanthropy, and narrative change. NDN Collective
Native Governance Center: Enhances tribal governance practices and supports Native nation rebuilding efforts. Native Governance Center
Native Organizers Alliance: Builds the capacity of Native tribes, organizers, and activists through training and grassroots initiatives. Native Organizers Alliance
First Nations Development Institute: Improves economic conditions for Native Americans through financial grants, technical assistance, and advocacy. First Nations Development Institute
Native American Rights Fund (NARF): Provides legal assistance focusing on tribal sovereignty, treaty rights, and resource protection. Native American Rights Fund
PowWows.com: Offers information about events, traditions, and Native American arts. PowWows.com
Tribal College Journal: Features articles on higher education, cultural preservation, and leadership within Native communities. Tribal College Journal
Verywell Mind: Provides information on the psychological impacts of cultural reconnection and ways to navigate this complex process. Verywell Mind
Indian Entities Recognized by the United States Bureau of Indian Affairs: This is the complete list of 574 federally recognized tribes, which is crucial for those verifying tribal affiliations. Federally Recognized Tribes
Tribal Leaders Directory: Provides contact information for the leaders of each federally recognized tribe, which can be invaluable for formal introductions and official matters. Tribal Leaders Directory