Chuck Hoskin Jr., secretary of state of the Cherokee Nation, said Warren was âundermining tribal interests with her continued claims of tribal heritage.â
âA DNA test is useless to determine tribal citizenship,â Hoskin said. âCurrent DNA tests do not even distinguish whether a personâs ancestors were indigenous to North or South America. Sovereign tribal nations set their own legal requirements for citizenship, and while DNA tests can be used to determine lineage, such as paternity to an individual, it is not evidence for tribal affiliation. Using a DNA test to lay claim to any connection to the Cherokee Nation or any tribal nation, even vaguely, is inappropriate and wrong.â
He added, âIt makes a mockery out of DNA tests and its legitimate uses while also dishonoring legitimate tribal governments and their citizens, whose ancestors are well documented and whose heritage is proven.â
Warren responded by tweeting that she respects the distinction between DNA and tribal affiliation or citizenship and that she doesnât list herself as a Native American in the Senate.