You’re no indian

You’re No Indian explores the devastating consequences of the practice of tribal disenrollment, including its cultural, social, and systemic flaws. Tribal disenrollment occurs when an Indigenous individual, and typically their family members as well, loses their citizenship or right to belong within their tribe.

This process is almost always orchestrated by tribal leadership seeking to consolidate its power and wealth, often at the expense of long-standing members, and it is frequently motivated by a desire to silence those who threaten the control and financial interests of the leadership.

Identity is essential. The repercussions of disenrollment extend far beyond material losses. Tribal members are stripped of critical aspects that come with tribal affiliation, including identity, heritage, and culture. This dissolution of their cultural connection not only isolates individuals but also threatens the very survival of tribes by concentrating power within a select group of tribal elites.

Yet disenrollment strips members of vital material rights and benefits associated with tribal membership, including per-capita income, healthcare, education, housing, and other resources. Tribal members who have spent their entire lives deeply connected to their community suddenly find themselves and their families stripped of recognition and cast out, severing ties to their identity and heritage.