Introduction

We as a people tend to want to belong to a group, whether it be our families, countries, or some other collective in which we can identify. As America has grown more diverse, we tend to identify with smaller subgroups whether they are on levels of geographic community, hobbies, religion, or ethnicity. For the most part, we belong to a nation of tolerance. We accept other peoples’ identities, but what happens to the many people that do not fit into a nice category or group? As we become an even greater blend through the melting pot, people do not distinctly fit in one group and at times will identify more strongly with one or they will be able to cross boundaries. One particular group of people has difficulty in crossing those boundaries- these are the people that are Native American, but have no tribal affiliation. I devote this blog to the issues surrounding exclusion from tribal affiliation despite an individual identifying with that group through culture and ancestry. The Native American peoples have historically been marginalized and with the exclusivity of tribal affiliation, an entire segment of society has not been recognized.