In the

United States The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 U.S. state, states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 ...

, tribal disenrollment is a process by which a

Native American Native Americans or Native American usually refers to Native Americans in the United States. Related terms and peoples include: Ethnic groups * Indigenous peoples of the Americas, the pre-Columbian peoples of North, South, and Central America ...

individual loses citizenship or the right to belong within a

Native American tribe In the United States, an American Indian tribe, Native American tribe, Alaska Native village, Indigenous tribe, or Tribal nation may be any current or historical Tribe (Native American)#Other uses, tribe, band, or nation of Native Americans in ...

. Banishment and ostracization have historically been a means to punish wrongdoers and maintain social cohesion in Native American tribes. Many tribes continue to reserve the right to banish individuals, despite legal challenges. Some Native scholars have argued that although belonging in Native nations was historically a matter of kinship, it has become increasingly legalistic. Research found that nearly 80 tribes across 20 states have engaged in disenrollment as of 2016. Some

tribal leader A tribal chief, chieftain, or headman is a leader of a tribal society or chiefdom. Tribal societies There is no definition for "tribe". The concept of tribe is a broadly applied concept, based on tribal concepts of societies of western Afr ...

s have stated that disenrollments are meant to correct tribal rolls and protect the integrity of the tribe, and others state that disenrollments are politically and economically motivated. Article 9 of the

UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples , , The Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP or DOTROIP) is a legally non-binding United Nations resolution passed by the United Nations in 2007 that delineates and defines the individual and collective rights of indig ...

states: "

Indigenous peoples There is no generally accepted definition of Indigenous peoples, although in the 21st century the focus has been on self-identification, cultural difference from other groups in a state, a special relationship with their traditional territ ...

and individuals have the right to belong to an indigenous community or nation, in accordance with the traditions and customs of the community or nation concerned." No discrimination of any kind may arise from the exercise of such a right. Article 33 of that UN states that "Indigenous peoples have the right to determine their own identity or membership in accordance with their customs and traditions." Individual and tribal rights clash in the disenrollment context. In the United States, it is entirely up to the tribes to determine the criteria and procedures that an individual must meet and undergo to be considered for tribal citizenship. Tribal constitutions outline criteria for citizenship which can include minimum

blood quantum requirements Blood quantum laws or Indian blood laws are laws that define Native Americans in the United States status by fractions of Native American ancestry. These laws were enacted by the federal government and state governments as a way to establish l ...

, residency, lineal descendant, or other criteria. Many tribes who formed governments under the

Indian Reorganization Act of 1934 The Indian Reorganization Act (IRA) of June 18, 1934, or the Wheeler–Howard Act, was U.S. federal legislation that dealt with the status of American Indians in the United States. It was the centerpiece of what has been often called the "India ...

have minimum

blood quantum Blood quantum laws or Indian blood laws are laws that define Native Americans in the United States status by fractions of Native American ancestry. These laws were enacted by the Federal government of the United States, federal government and S ...

requirements. Some tribes require genetic paternity tests to prove an applicant's claimed father is a tribal citizen. In 2016 a website called "Stop Disenrollment" was set up by Native Peoples.
In 2017 it is reported that an estimated 9,000 members of 72 native tribes have been disenrolledIndian Country Today March 28,2017
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In 2020 it is estimated that nearly 10,000 citizens of 85 ut of 574 federally acknowledged tribeshave been disenrolled over 15 years.

References

{{reflist Native American law Denaturalization Native American tribal rolls

See also

References