Native American Tribal Membership

How do you become an official member of a Native American Tribe in Colorado? The Colorado Commission of Indian Affairs has put together a helpful FAQ document to answer your questions about obtaining membership in a federally recognized Tribe. “Each of the Tribes has its own right to determine the standards for becoming a member,” the document advises, so you must contact the Tribe directly to find out their requirements. Most Tribes will require proof of descendancy, so the document provides helpful guidance on researching and documenting your genealogy. You can also find more information in the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Guide to Tracing Your American Indian Ancestry.

For additional information about Colorado’s Native American Tribes today, see the following publications:

• Colorado American Indian and Alaska Native Economic Impact Report
• Colorado Commission of Indian Affairs Health and Wellness Roundtable
• Colorado Commission of Indian Affairs Resource Directory
• Colorado Tribal Contacts
• A Guide to Colorado Legal Resources for Native Americans
• The Other American Governments: Tribal Governments in Transition from Dependency to Sovereignty
• Report of the Native American Sacred Lands Forum
• Sacred Objects and Sacred Places: Preserving Tribal Traditions
• State-Tribal Consultation Guide
• Twenty-Five Year Report of the Colorado Commission of Indian Affairs