Ancestry & Tribal Enrollment

Ancestry versus Enrollment

A lot of research on Native American ancestry does not require an attorney. MILS will help individuals if they face legal barriers to getting needed information, especially if there have been adoptions in the family tree. Having Indian ancestry is different than being a tribal member. Tribes, as sovereign governments, set their own citizenship rules. These are often found in the tribe’s constitution or tribal code. Also, most tribal governments have created enrollment ordinances and have special offices for this purpose.

Many tribes require a Certificate of Degree of Indian or Alaska Native Blood (CBID) to become a tribal member. Some tribes request that you apply for a CDIB through the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and others issue their own CBID through their tribal enrollment offices. To apply for a CDIB through the BIA, use this form.

The BIA has information on Enrollment and Genealogy.

NARF provides resources to assist you in tracing your Family History.

NARF also has a guide to tribal Enrollment. 

• Bay Mills Indian Community

  • Enrollment Department

  • Member Adoption Ordinance

  • Constitution (under Article III - Membership)

• Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians

  • Constitution (under Article II - Membership)

  • Contact the Tribe for more information. 

• Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians

  • Membership Office

  • Enrollment Ordinance

  • Constitution (under Article II - Membership)

• Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan

  • Enrollment Office

  • Enrollment Ordinance

  • Constitution (under Article III - Membership)

• Keweenaw Bay Indian Community

  • Enrollment Department

  • Membership Code

  • Constitution (under Article II - Membership)

• Hannahville Indian Community

  • Enrollment Office

  • Enrollment Ordinance

  • Constitution (under Article III - Membership)

• Little River Band of Ottawa Indians                            

• • Enrollment Department

  • Enrollment Ordinance

  • Constitution (under Article II - Membership)

• Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians

  • Enrollment Department

  • Membership Ordinance

  • Constitution (under Article III - Membership)

• Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians 

  • Enrollment Department

  • Enrollment Code

  • Constitution (under Article V - Membership)

• Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi

  • Enrollment Office

  • Enrollment Code

  • Constitution

• Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians 

  • As of 2009, enrollment was closed except for newborn children of MBPI Tribal members.

  • Contact the Tribe for more information.

• Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians

  • Enrollment Department

  • Citizenship Statute

  • Constitution