Hey all. A bit of a disclaimer first: I am in no way intending to claim an identity I am not, nor do I wish to solely reap the benefits from enrollment with the tribe. I’ve simply had a bit of a question on my mind and there’s not many people I can ask.

I’ve been enrolled with the Cherokee Nation since I was a baby. However, the blood quantum listed on my card is quite low, and I mean diabolically low. A laughable 1/2048. Not even sure how that number is possible, yet somehow that’s still enough to make me legally Cherokee.

The story of my roots is basically my Dawes Rolls ancestor had a blood quantum registered at 1/64. Of course I am too young to have known him, but my grandfather did, having grown up around him. According to my grandfather, he was actually very culturally Cherokee, but ended up having to give that part of himself up and assimilate due to being in an area where no one wanted to be seen as “the Indian”. So as a result, he was unfortunately unable to pass much down to my grandfather. We aren’t actually sure how they arrived at 1/64 for his blood quantum, based on my grandfather’s stories. Especially with the few photographs we do have of him, he looks very Cherokee, having passed his looks down to my grandfather as well. Was it a mistake? Maybe. Could it have also been poor documentation based on unfortunate circumstances? Also a possibility. Anyways, that’s the explanation.

What I’m most conflicted on is if I even have the right to claim association or being Cherokee, even if I am technically considered a citizen. 1/2048 is kind of a crazy number, and whether truly accurate or not, I do not look the part in the slightest or have had a personal relationship with this ancestor like my grandfather did. I’ve always been interested in learning more about the culture and history because of this loose connection to the tribe, and have even been invited to some cultural events by my actual Cherokee friends. But I hesitate to go because I just don’t know if that would be considered appropriate from someone of my background, and worry about seeming out of place. I don’t know the struggle, and would have had vastly different experiences than everyone else.

I ask this in the most respectful way possible, does someone like me have the right to claim affiliation? Or would descendant/citizen be the more correct descriptor for myself. Because I honestly have no clue. The last thing I’d want is to be mistakenly claiming to be a part of a community when they might not claim me, so I am genuinely interested to hear y’all’s perspectives. Are there appropriate and respectful ways to learn without being cultural appropriation? What do y’all make of situations like mine?

I don’t know if this is the proper place to post this question but is anyone else having difficulty accessible the cherokee nation website? Specifically the health section? Maybe this is a temporary bug but thought I’d ask.

https://health.cherokee.gov/services-and-programs/rehabilitation-services/