There are 3 (three) levels of Tribesmanship. A. Blood B. Associate C. Honorary
A. Blood
Most of the Tribes-people in the SCNK are members through their ancestral bloodlines, which tie back to the original Cherokee Tribe that was forcibly removed from their homelands by the Indian Removal Act. Some of us have Cherokee blood ties to Cherokee people who escaped the Indian Removal Act, and lived among the American populations, and certainly became a mixed-race people. Regardless, If you can provide proof that you are a descendant of an ancestor of Cherokee descent, you will be accepted as a “By Blood” Tribal Member and then you may participate in All Tribal Functions, as well as have Full Tribal Voting Privileges. The SCNK DOES NOT require a certain percentage of blood quantum. If you have one drop of Cherokee blood, and can prove it, your application will be approved.
HOW CAN YOU PROVE IT? Do one of the following:
- Produce Documents of ancestral CDIB (Certificate of Degree of Indian Blood)
- Provide a Copy showing your ancestor listed on any of the Cherokee Census Rolls, along with a “varifiable” written family lineage back to that person. (A family tree form to help you show your lineage is downloadable below)
- Give A “Notorized Affadavit” from a blood relative stating “We are of Cherokee descent by oral family tradition, or through listings in a Family Bible, AND/OR through publishing’s of other Historical/Genealogical/Heritage” (Newpapers, books, etc).
- Submit YDNA or MTDNA Results showing positive Native American test results. Note: DNA test results cannot prove which Native Tribe you descend from, however, we will not discriminate against any positive Native American test result, and will promptly accept you as a Tribes-person so that you can join with us in our celebration and appreciation of our heritage.
B. Associate
An Associate is an individual that has no proven Cherokee blood, and has an “immediate” relationship to a Blood Tribes-person. (Spouse, Step-Children, Adopted Children, Foster Children, or living in a blood Tribes-persons household). An Associate will receive a Tribal Associate ID Card. An Associate may participate in Tribal Events and will carry FULL TRIBAL VOTING PRIVILEGES.
C. HONORARY
An Honorary Tribes-person is a person that has no blood association to the Cherokee whatsoever, but can gain an appointment to an Honorary Status through a variety of ways. One cannot apply for an Honorary Tribes-person Position. The Chief and/or the Chief Counsel can appoint an Honorary Tribesmanship to anyone that they feel fits the description. Any Blood Tribesperson can suggest someone for an Honorary Apppointment to the Chief or the Chief Counsel.
REQUIRED PAPERWORK TO APPLY TO THE SCNK
Below are downloadable links to the Application, as well as a downloadable blank family tree graph.
Everyone wishing to became a Tribesman of the SCNK MUST submit a completed, SIGNED AND DATED application to be considered. pLEASE WRITE YOUR EMAIL AND PHONE NUMBER ON THE FORM.
Everyone wishing to become a Tribesman must also submit written lineage back to their Cherokee Ancestor, including birth and death dates, locations. (Our downloadable family tree graph below can help you.)
Copies of any documentation you can provide showing proof is highly recommended.
PLEASE WRITE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS AND PHONE NUMBER ONTO THE DOWNLOADABLE APPLICATION FORM.
PLEASE NOTE: If you are an immediate family member of a current SCNK Tribesperson (child, sibling, parent, grandchild, grandparent) you still must complete an application, HOWEVER, you may not have to provide the family lineage chart, HOWEVER, YOU DO NEED TO PROVIDE their Name and SCNK Roll Number along with documented proof of your relationship to them.
ANYONE THAT CANNOT PROVIDE SOLID EVIDENCE OF CHEROKEE BLOOD IN THEIR LINEAGE MAY BE GIVEN AN ASSOCIATE ID CARD UNTIL BLOOD RELATIONSHIP CAN BE PROVEN.
THERE IS A ONE TIME APPLICATION FEE OF $20 PER APPLICANT to help cover the associated costs of processing and materials.
THERE ARE ALSO YEARLY DUES OF $20 PER TRIBESPERSONS (Blood, Associate and Honorary) This is to help cover Tribal costs associated with maintenance and upkeep of the website, as well as the costs associated with the Tribal Land and Council House.
PLEASE NOTE ON THE DOWNLOADABLE FORM YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS AND PHONE NUMBER.
THE CHIEF, VICE CHIEF, CHIEF COUNCIL, SPEAKER, TREASURER, AND REGISTRAR AND ANY OTHER ELECTED AND/OR APPOINTED TRIBAL POSITIONS ARE BLOOD TRIBESPERSONS AND VOLUNTEER THEIR TIME TO UPHOLD THOSE POSITIONS WITHOUT MONETARY GAIN FOR THEIR EFFORTS…In other words, Nobody gets paid to be a part of this group.
IF YOU NEED HELP IN FILLING OUT YOUR APPLICATION, OR FOR ANSWERS TO ANY QUESTIONS, YOU CAN REACH THE REGISTRAR BY EMAIL AT scnkregistrar@yahoo.com
MAILING YOUR APPLICATION
DO NOT SEND ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS, THEY WILL NOT BE RETURNED TO YOU…..SEND COPIES ONLY.
DO NOT PROVIDE A COMPLETE SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER. PROVIDE ONLY THE LAST 4 DIGITS.
DO NOT SEND CASH.
Often times there or quite a few documents that accompany your application, therefore, we recommend mailing these all together in a manila envelope that is big enough as to not to have to fold your documents.
Please include your check or money order (Payable to SCNK Inc.) in the amount of $20 in with your application. (if you are a family sending multiple applications, one check or money order will suffice, just be sure to multiply the number of applications X $20)
PLEASE NOTE: ALWAYS KEEP YOUR CARD IN A SAFE PLACE AND PROTECT IT. IF YOU HAPPEN TO LOSE YOUR CARD OR NEED A REPLACEMENT BECAUSE OF A PERSONAL CHANGE (UPDATE ADDRESS, UPDATE PICTURE AS YOU AGE, OR NEED A DUPLICATE FOR ANY PURPOSE), PLEASE SEND A WRITTEN REQUEST TO THE REGISTRAR ADDRESS BELOW ALONG WITH A CHECK OR MONEY ORDER IN THE AMOUNT OF $5 (TO DEFRAY TO COSTS OF MATERIALS AND POSTAGE) AND A NEW CARD WILL BE PROMPTLY ISSUED TO YOU BY REGULAR MAIL. (IF YOU ARE NEEDING TO UPDATE YOUR PICTURE ON YOUR NEW ID CARD, PLEASE INCLUDE A CLEAR FACIAL PHOTO OF YOURSELF…YOU SHOULD HAVE NO HEADCOVERINGS IN THE PHOTO)
***You will likely need to have your application weighed at the Post Office to insure you are applying the proper postage amount.***
MAIL YOUR PACKET TO:
SCNK REGISTRAR
PO BOX 481
Allen KY 41601
