Cherokee Nation: Warren's DNA Test 'Inappropriate, Wrong'

'A DNA test is useless to determine tribal citizenship'
By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff
Posted Oct 16, 2018 4:38 AM CDT
Updated Oct 16, 2018 6:05 AM CDT
Cherokee Nation: Warren's DNA Test 'Inappropriate, Wrong'
Sen. Elizabeth Warren speaks to demonstrators as they protest against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh outside of the US Capitol, on Thursday, Oct. 4, 2018.   (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

Sen. Elizabeth Warren has released a DNA test that shows "strong evidence" of at least some Native American ancestry—but the Cherokee Nation is not impressed. Cherokee Nation Secretary of State Chuck Hoskins Jr. said in a statement Monday that a DNA test is "not evidence for tribal affiliation," Time reports. "Using a DNA test to lay claim to any connection to the Cherokee Nation or any tribal nation, even vaguely, is inappropriate and wrong," Hoskins said. The Oklahoman calls the statement a "rare rebuke" to Warren from the tribe, whose chief, Bill Baker, is a fellow Democrat. Warren has said family lore tells of connections to the Cherokee and Delaware tribes. The test found that her DNA is mostly European, but there is evidence of a Native American ancestor six to 10 generations ago.

In a tweet Monday, Warren said she took the test because she won't "sit quietly" for the "racism" of President Trump, "but DNA & family history has nothing to do with tribal affiliation or citizenship, which is determined only – only – by Tribal Nations. I respect the distinction, & don't list myself as Native in the Senate." She went on to slam Trump in more than a dozen tweets, calling him a "cowardly elitist." She reminded Trump on Monday of his promise to pay $1 million to charity if she took a DNA test, but he made it clear he had no intention of paying up. He told reporters he would "only do it if I can test her personally," and added it "will not be something I enjoy doing, either." (Warren has said she will consider challenging Trump in 2020 after the midterm elections.)

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