Many nations have closed or limited enrollment. Some descendants have waited years for an answer, and some have documented lines to more than one nation. Others are told their family has Indigenous ancestry and have no way to show it. Government offices, nations, and institutions need a reliable way to tell documented descent from a story. A Documented Descent Review examines the paper trail and says plainly what it shows.
Pilot coming soon
The review is preparing to open as a small pilot. Applications are not open yet. Use the form at the bottom of this page to tell us you are interested, and we will contact you when the pilot begins.
Who it is for
- Individuals who want their documented descent reviewed.
- Communities with documented historical and family ties to a named people.
- Advocates, Members, and nonmembers alike.
How it works
- You apply and give written consent.
- Two reviewers look at your records independently, after a conflict check.
- A panel decides. There are three possible outcomes:
- Documented: you receive a record code and the designation Documented Descendant of [Nation].
- Insufficient Documentation: you receive a written list of gaps and can resubmit. This is not a finding that your family story is false. Many records were destroyed, altered, or never made.
- Research in Progress: you receive a research plan and are invited to a descendant research circle.
- Only a Documented result is ever shown to anyone, and only through a code you control.
What a Documented Descendant is
A Documented Descendant has submitted records showing lineal descent from an ancestor recorded in historical sources as affiliated with a named people or nation.
What a Documented Descendant is not
A Documented Descent Review is not tribal enrollment, citizenship, or recognition. A Documented Descendant does not speak for or represent any federally or state recognized tribe, nation, or community, and the designation carries no official recognition beyond the Indigenous Affairs Forum. Tribal citizenship is decided by each nation.
How the Forum amplifies descendants
Documented descendants have stories worth hearing. The Forum helps them be heard as themselves, and it does so with respect for the nations whose histories those stories touch.
- The Forum follows the lead of nations on their own citizenship, history, culture, and language.
- The Forum does not challenge or comment on any nation's enrollment decisions.
- Speaking and storytelling opportunities are always described as a descendant sharing their own family history, never as a representative of any nation.
- Nations can contact the Forum at any time about any code or use of the designation, and every concern receives a written response.
- The Forum can share information about a nation's published enrollment process, as the nation publishes it.
Your privacy
- You decide who sees your code.
- There is no public list of names.
- Evidence is stored securely and is not posted on this website.
- You can withdraw at any time, and your code will then show as withdrawn.
What Documented Descendants receive
- A shareable record code
- A research guide and archive directory
- Invitations to descendant research circles
- Opt-in listing for speaking and storytelling opportunities (not on behalf of any nation)
Tell us you are interested
Include in your message that you are interested in the Documented Descent Review pilot, and whether you are applying as an individual or for a community.