DS - Can I say I'm Native American? Forum
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DS - Can I say I'm Native American?
I know this is a bizarre question, but let me explain.
I was born in Colombia and adopted by white Americans when I was 8 months old. Fortunately, my parents really valued teaching me about my cultural heritage. They're perfectly bilingual, so I only spoke Spanish at home, lived in South America for a couple of years growing up, etc etc. I know Colombia is pretty ethnically diverse and I've never bothered to research/track down my biological family, so I don't know my ethnicity. I have brown skin, brown eyes, and straight dark brown hair. Most people think I'm of indigenous descent and I'm inclined to think the same. Over the years, I've met a lot of indigenous groups from South America, and I look a lot more like them than other types of Hispanics (of mixed race or of African or European descent). When I lived in South America, I was treated like someone of indigenous descent and I feel the most comfortable with that identity. However (obviously), I don't belong to a tribe or anything like that.
My question is, would it be appropriate/acceptable to put down in my applications that I am native American/indigenous and write a diversity statement based on this weird notion of identity that I have? Thanks in advance for any thoughts/advice you have.
I was born in Colombia and adopted by white Americans when I was 8 months old. Fortunately, my parents really valued teaching me about my cultural heritage. They're perfectly bilingual, so I only spoke Spanish at home, lived in South America for a couple of years growing up, etc etc. I know Colombia is pretty ethnically diverse and I've never bothered to research/track down my biological family, so I don't know my ethnicity. I have brown skin, brown eyes, and straight dark brown hair. Most people think I'm of indigenous descent and I'm inclined to think the same. Over the years, I've met a lot of indigenous groups from South America, and I look a lot more like them than other types of Hispanics (of mixed race or of African or European descent). When I lived in South America, I was treated like someone of indigenous descent and I feel the most comfortable with that identity. However (obviously), I don't belong to a tribe or anything like that.
My question is, would it be appropriate/acceptable to put down in my applications that I am native American/indigenous and write a diversity statement based on this weird notion of identity that I have? Thanks in advance for any thoughts/advice you have.
- RCSOB657
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Re: DS - Can I say I'm Native American?
Loney M. Setnick wrote:I know this is a bizarre question, but let me explain.
I was born in Colombia and adopted by white Americans when I was 8 months old. Fortunately, my parents really valued teaching me about my cultural heritage. They're perfectly bilingual, so I only spoke Spanish at home, lived in South America for a couple of years growing up, etc etc. I know Colombia is pretty ethnically diverse and I've never bothered to research/track down my biological family, so I don't know my ethnicity. I have brown skin, brown eyes, and straight dark brown hair. Most people think I'm of indigenous descent and I'm inclined to think the same. Over the years, I've met a lot of indigenous groups from South America, and I look a lot more like them than other types of Hispanics (of mixed race or of African or European descent). When I lived in South America, I was treated like someone of indigenous descent and I feel the most comfortable with that identity. However (obviously), I don't belong to a tribe or anything like that.
My question is, would it be appropriate/acceptable to put down in my applications that I am native American/indigenous and write a diversity statement based on this weird notion of identity that I have? Thanks in advance for any thoughts/advice you have.
You're Hispanic, that much you know for absolute certainty. Write your ps or ds about being adopted?
- TheSpanishMain
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Re: DS - Can I say I'm Native American?
He's Hispanic, but not the kind that provides a URM boost. I'm not totally sure, but I believe the NA boost MAY require having a tribal idRCSOB657 wrote:Loney M. Setnick wrote:I know this is a bizarre question, but let me explain.
I was born in Colombia and adopted by white Americans when I was 8 months old. Fortunately, my parents really valued teaching me about my cultural heritage. They're perfectly bilingual, so I only spoke Spanish at home, lived in South America for a couple of years growing up, etc etc. I know Colombia is pretty ethnically diverse and I've never bothered to research/track down my biological family, so I don't know my ethnicity. I have brown skin, brown eyes, and straight dark brown hair. Most people think I'm of indigenous descent and I'm inclined to think the same. Over the years, I've met a lot of indigenous groups from South America, and I look a lot more like them than other types of Hispanics (of mixed race or of African or European descent). When I lived in South America, I was treated like someone of indigenous descent and I feel the most comfortable with that identity. However (obviously), I don't belong to a tribe or anything like that.
My question is, would it be appropriate/acceptable to put down in my applications that I am native American/indigenous and write a diversity statement based on this weird notion of identity that I have? Thanks in advance for any thoughts/advice you have.
You're Hispanic, that much you know for absolute certainty. Write your ps or ds about being adopted?
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Re: DS - Can I say I'm Native American?
What exactly would your DS about being possibly of indigenous descent say? I'm not certain, but I think the NA/AI bump depends pretty heavily on how involved the applicant has been in his/her tribal community.
I think a DS about being Latin@ and adopted by white Americans would be much stronger to be honest, but maybe someone who is NA/AI should chime in.
FWIW - I am mestiza and do not check NA/AI on applications because I feel like it would be dishonest.
I think a DS about being Latin@ and adopted by white Americans would be much stronger to be honest, but maybe someone who is NA/AI should chime in.
FWIW - I am mestiza and do not check NA/AI on applications because I feel like it would be dishonest.
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Re: DS - Can I say I'm Native American?
Even though I genuinely believe I may be ethnically indigenous, I was wavering about checking the NA/AI because, like you, I don't want to be dishonest.lc39 wrote: FWIW - I am mestiza and do not check NA/AI on applications because I feel like it would be dishonest.
Thanks for the replies, guys, I appreciate it.
- Dream_weaver32
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Re: DS - Can I say I'm Native American?
I am NA and have my tribal registration, some schools ask for your ID number, and I would assume at some point in order for schools to disclose information for 509's that they would require proof of tribal affiliation.Loney M. Setnick wrote:Even though I genuinely believe I may be ethnically indigenous, I was wavering about checking the NA/AI because, like you, I don't want to be dishonest.lc39 wrote: FWIW - I am mestiza and do not check NA/AI on applications because I feel like it would be dishonest.
Thanks for the replies, guys, I appreciate it.
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Re: DS - Can I say I'm Native American?
I get that if you're NA/AI from the US, you would need an ID number/tribal registration. But many indigenous groups in Latin America don't have that. Even if I had ties to a specific group, I'm doubtful that I'd be able to substantiate it with any paperwork. Just curious, how do law schools handle that, anyone know?
- RCSOB657
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Re: DS - Can I say I'm Native American?
This is the guidance LSAC gives.
.American Indian or Alaska Native. A person having origins in any of the original peoples of North and South America (including Central America), and who maintains a tribal affiliation or community.
Hispanic/Latino. A person of Cuban, Mexican, South or Central American, or other Spanish culture or origin, regardless of race.
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Re: DS - Can I say I'm Native American?
I think if you do either your ps or ds on being adopted and possibly trying to reconnect in SA I think you would do wellLoney M. Setnick wrote:I get that if you're NA/AI from the US, you would need an ID number/tribal registration. But many indigenous groups in Latin America don't have that. Even if I had ties to a specific group, I'm doubtful that I'd be able to substantiate it with any paperwork. Just curious, how do law schools handle that, anyone know?
- DiniMae
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Re: DS - Can I say I'm Native American?
Pardon my ignorance on this matter, but if you took one of those $100 DNA tests that prove you're XX% Native American (of XX tribe), are you able to apply for affiliation with that tribe?
- baal hadad
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Re: DS - Can I say I'm Native American?
in usa each tribe has its own rules on who can become/who is a member of the tribeDiniMae wrote:Pardon my ignorance on this matter, but if you took one of those $100 DNA tests that prove you're XX% Native American (of XX tribe), are you able to apply for affiliation with that tribe?
For example for the Cherokee theres no blood quantum requirement but you have to show that you have an ancestor on the dawes rolls
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Re: DS - Can I say I'm Native American?
My view (Law School may clearly state something different) is that if you can identify a cultural connection to a group of Indigenous People of North,Central or South American OR talk about clear knowledge but forced disconnection then you can write a DS but have some vague connection may not be helpful
I can say that a strong DS work even if one does not have US paper work, I did much better with US Law School then I should have with my GPA/LSAT(but patchwork I got rejected by lower school then accepted me) I presume this was because I am Native American(as define by the Census) I also persume this was because some school determine who is Native American differentlyLoney M. Setnick wrote:I get that if you're NA/AI from the US, you would need an ID number/tribal registration. But many indigenous groups in Latin America don't have that. Even if I had ties to a specific group, I'm doubtful that I'd be able to substantiate it with any paperwork. Just curious, how do law schools handle that, anyone know?
- Clearly
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Re: DS - Can I say I'm Native American?
Has no one made an Elizabeth Warren joke yet?