| Debunking Native American DNA Myths |
| Lots of people have family stories that include a Native American ancestor. In a day and age in which DNA tests can tell us our ethnic ancestry, this can lead to several common questions (and misconceptions). Let’s answer the most common. 1. Can a DNA test tell me which tribe I descend from? Autosomal DNA tests estimate your percentage of Native American heritage but cannot discern your tribal heritage. Y DNA (direct paternal line for males) and mitochondrial DNA (direct maternal line for everyone) tests have a unique inheritance path and test specific ancestral lines. A resulting Native American haplogroup confirms your Native American heritage for that specific ancestral line. You may be able to infer a location, based on who you match and the locations of their ancestors, but those tests don’t reveal a tribe directly. |
| 2. If I take an autosomal DNA test that doesn’t show Native American ethnicity, does that mean I DON’T have Native American ancestors? You may still have a Native American ancestor. If your Native ancestor is 5-6 generations, or further, back in your tree, it’s possible that you won’t carry any, or enough, of their DNA to show on the test. A different vendor might find a small amount, so be sure to upload your results to both FamilyTreeDNA and MyHeritage, for free. You may also want to test relatives, such as parents, grandparents, aunts or uncles who are generationally closer to a potential Native ancestor and may carry some Native DNA that you don’t. Consider taking a Y or mitochondrial DNA test, if appropriate. 3. If I “prove” Native American heritage through my DNA, am I eligible for tribal membership? Am I able receive money from the government or attend college for free? No, each tribe determines its own membership criteria which is usually a combination of proven ancestors on a tribal role, and your percentage of Native ancestry based on documented genealogy. In order to join a tribe, you need to determine which tribe and follow their application procedures. Tribal members may receive health care, food subsidies, educational and other benefits. Roberta Estes has a Native American Resource page at https://dna-explained.com/native-american-dna-resources/ and has written the book, DNA for Native American Genealogy, available through Genealogical.com. |
