Scientists now have the opportunity to work wonders by testing and thoroughly studying Native American DNA in order to trace genetics, family histories, discover where people have traveled, and how the tribes eventually came to split up into different groups. This information is absolutely invaluable when it comes to the discovery of how the Native American people formed languages, cultures, and families. Genetic family trees and various types of people can be traced by studying Native American DNA. Their history, time line, and population can all be studied. It is also possible for scientists to discover how long ago varying tribes began, where they came from, and where they finally ended up. This is an unbelievable breakthrough in science for anthropologists, historians, and genetics scientists. As well as this, many controversial theories are put to the test with the use of Native American DNA.
Strong benefits also come from using Native American DNA in today’s modern world. For those individuals who feel that they have Native American heritage, or come from a long line of tribal families, DNA testing can assist in determining their genetic background in relation to the Native American genes.
Testing for Native American DNA has been put into place in order to avoid the possibility of fraudulent activity among American citizens. This testing helps to determine whether or not individuals are in fact from a real Native American heritage or not. Although this testing does assist individuals in learning more about their lineage, the modern tribes of today generally require that people have a minimum of one grandparent or great-grandparent who was Native American. If this cannot be proved by genealogy, regardless of DNA testing, many tribes will reject you nonetheless. However, not everyone who participates in Native American DNA wants to open a casino or live on a reservation. Some just want to know.
Many people simply wish to take DNA tests in order to discover their heritage and background, or they wish to know for health related reasons. There are those individuals that are interested in the state benefits that are available and in being able to become part of a tribe that is recognized by the state government. Then there are others whom simply wish to know about their past and where they came from, along with their family history and traditions.
A DNA test will determine your haplotype, which is a set of genetic markers that are inherited as a unit. Different haplotypes correspond to different haplogroups. The best way in which you can imagine haplogroups is by thinking that they are major branches on the family tree of Homo Sapiens. There are several haplogroups specific to Native American populations that can be tested with either Y chromosome or mtDNA testing.
Haplogroups are like a massive family tree that extends back for hundreds or even thousands of years. It is possible through some tests to identify what ancient lineages your Y chromosome or mtDNA matches and provide you with an analysis of the gene frequency for you in modern-day tribes.
Most DNA testing facilities can assist people in tracing their possible Native American heritage. This service does come with a fee, of approximately $150 to $400, but the results are well worth the expenditure as it opens doors to their past and your family’s history so that you are provided with a clearer picture of where you come from.
Those Americans whose families have been in the United States for many generations, may have Native American blood somewhere in their genealogies.
If you think that you may have some Native American ancestry in your family, it may be worth your while investigating and discovering the truth about your ancestry. There are many different locations that specialize in genetic tracing and they can be hired to assist you in proving that you are of Native American descent. Many of these places use the ‘Family History Library‘, which is the world’s largest library located in Salt Lake City, Utah
There are some people who will be more than happy to discover that their mtDNA profiles mark them as Haplotype X, which is common among the Ojibwe, and add their discovery to the family tree. However, there are others that may wish to pursue tribal membership. Yet, tribal membership will not be granted by DNA results alone. Much more genealogical research will need to be undertaken in order to build a claim.
What matters the most to tribes is not whether or not you are related by blood to a tribe member, but whether you are socially a member of a tribe. Many tribes feel that tribal law is in fact what determines the status of an individual tribe, not DNA test results.
Native American ancestry alone cannot qualify you to become a member of a tribe that is recognized by the federal government. However, it can give you the assurance if there is Native American blood inside of you, and save you much time in your research. There are tribal benefits as well as Bureau of Indian Affairs benefits that you can look into receiving if and when you qualify. Assistance for education, loans at low interest, and being declared a minority are some of the benefits that are included. Minority status can help you when you are searching for a job or going to college. You not only have the opportunity to gain benefits if you are of Native American ancestry, but you will be able to discover the knowledge of your family and a heritage that you can be proud of.
