A proposal by the Crow tribal chair could dramatically change who counts as a Crow tribal member under the “blood quantum” standard, a concept created by White settlers and rooted in assimilation tactics.
Blood quantum refers to the fractional amount of tribal affiliation in an individual’s ancestry. It is central to individual identity and highly controversial.
Currently, an individual must possess one-quarter Crow Indian blood to enroll as a member of the Crow Tribe. The proposed legislation from Chairman Frank Whiteclay would classify all existing members as having 100% Crow blood, potentially allowing thousands of descendants to qualify for membership and essential services.
The implications of this legislation could significantly impact the 14,289 enrolled Crow members, and tribal citizenship often determines access to healthcare, education, and voting rights.
Whiteclay emphasized that this proposal aims to “break a cycle of lost enrollment” and improve the lives of both current members and their descendants. He noted the adverse effect of blood quantum policies, which have led to a decline in tribal membership numbers.
Critics of blood quantum, including experts like Jill Doerfler from the University of Minnesota Duluth, argue that tribes using these metrics have an inherent expiration date, triggering discussions on how to maintain tribal identity despite intermarriage with non-Natives.
Tribal Secretary Levi Black Eagle noted that while the act is not a perfect solution, it seeks to leverage tribal sovereignty within the existing federal system which mandates some form of membership criteria. He also pointed out the cultural implications of blood quantum, suggesting that it reduces individuals to mere fractions rather than recognizing their full cultural identity.
The proposal's reception has been mixed, with concerns regarding resource allocation in an already strained federal support system being raised. However, Whiteclay believes the focus should be on the collective benefit of the tribe, rather than limiting membership based on narrow bloodline definitions.
Ultimately, this legislation encapsulates a broader conversation about identity, citizenship, and the historical imposition of blood quantum by colonial powers on Native nations.
