Misconceptions About Cherokee Heritage and Government Benefits

Introduction

Sometimes, individuals discover that a family member, like a grandmother, was of Cherokee heritage. This discovery can lead to questions about entitlement to certain benefits from the government. However, the reality is that such benefits are not automatic or commonly associated with Cherokee heritage.

Understanding "Handouts" from Cherokee Tribes

Cherokee tribes, like many Native American tribes, provide services to their members that are similar to those available through U.S. social welfare programs. These include food stamps, subsidised housing, and Medicaid (tangles, child care, etc.). These services are not "handouts" from the government but rather part of the tribe's own social welfare programs.

A notable analogy is the Alaska Permanent Fund, which distributing money generated from oil revenues to all permanent residents. Similarly, some Cherokee tribes may distribute per capita payments, but this is not the norm and is a result of profit sharing from the tribe's own business ventures, not government money.

Key Points: Most tribes do not have social welfare programs similar to those of the U.S. government. Per capita payments, if they occur, are a form of profit sharing, not handouts.

Context and Legalities

The discovery that a grandmother is a full-blooded Cherokee can be mistaken for an entitlement to government benefits. However, there is an important distinction to make between genuine heritage and fabricated claims.

Discovering that a family member is Cherokee can be significant, especially if that family member was a full-blooded Cherokee. This ties into two distinct scenarios:

Scenario 1: Close Family Connections

It is exceptional to have a close family connection to a full-blooded Cherokee. Given the small number of full-blooded Cherokees left in the world, finding a full-blooded grandmother could be considered remarkable. There are roughly 3,000 members in the Cherokee Nation, with about 1500 females, and only a handful of these living in full-blood communities. For the Eastern Band, based out of Qualla, the situation is similar, with just over 16,000 members, a tiny fraction of which are full-bloods.

Scenario 2: Erroneous Family Lore

In many cases, individuals may inherit family stories that exaggerate or misrepresent their heritage. These stories can evolve into a "hidden heritage" context, where people claim Cherokee ancestry without any actual connection or documentation. This misinformation can be deeply ingrained, leading to a constructed identity that is not based on actual family ties or affiliation with the Cherokee community.

Key Points: Full-blood Cherokee heritage is rare and carries significant historical value. Claims of Cherokee heritage that are not substantiated by documentation are often fabricated and not credible.

Conclusion

While it is understandable to feel a sense of connection or entitlement when learning about a family member's full-blooded Cherokee heritage, it is essential to understand the legal and factual context. The benefits and services provided by Cherokee tribes are entitlements for their members, not handouts from the government. Claims of Cherokee heritage, especially those based on false or exaggerated family lore, do not entitle individuals to government benefits. Acceptance of genuine heritage is important, but it should be based on accurate and verifiable information.