Blood Quantum is a strategy used by the government and tribes to authenticate the amount of “Native blood” a person has by tracing individual and group ancestry. The amount a person has is measured in fractions, such as 1/4 or 1/2. This measurement can affect a person’s tribal identity and ability to become a federal member.
 

Many Native nations currently use blood quantum to determine who can and cannot become a member. For example, the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe requires members to have 1/4 or more blood quantum from Lower Brule. If a prospective citizen’s blood quantum is lower than 1/4, they are not eligible to become a citizen of the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe.
 

However, each tribe has a particular set of requirements, typically including a blood quantum, for membership (enrollment) in the tribe. Nations that use blood quantum often do so in combination with other criteria. For instance, the Omaha Tribe of Nebraska requires a BQ of 1/4 Native American and descent from a registered ancestor for enrollment, while the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma has no BQ requirement, and only requires lineal descent from a documented Cherokee ancestor listed on the Dawes Rolls.  The Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians of Montana requires 1/4 and proof of lineal descendency from Turtle Mountain rolls or the Roe Cloud Roll. There is a provision that allows children with 1/8 to enroll as long as there is one parent who is 1/4 and currently enrolled.
 

It's important to note that the use of blood quantum has been criticized for its potential to lead to the extinction of indigenous people. If native communities uphold strict blood quantum rules, it is inevitable that enrollment numbers will decline and tribal communities will no longer be viable as sovereign nations. The use of Euro-American definitions of identity is outdated, as is blood quantum.
 

There are several alternatives to blood quantum for determining Native American identity:
 

     1.**Lineal Descent**: Some tribes are eliminating blood quantum requirements entirely and using lineal descent           to define membership. This means that a person is considered a member if they can trace their lineage back           to a recognized member of the tribe, regardless of the degree of Native American blood. This can sometimes           be more specifically patrilineal or matrilineal descent.
     

     2. **Knowledge of Language, Culture, and Traditions**: Some nations are incorporating knowledge of language,         culture, and traditions into their citizenship requirements. This means that a person's understanding and                   practice of their tribe's customs and language can be a factor in determining their tribal membership.
 

     3. **Community Involvement and Self-Identification**: Some tribes consider a person's involvement in the                      community and their self-identification as a tribal member. This can include participation in tribal activities                and ceremonies, contribution to the tribal community, and recognition by other tribal members.
 

It's important to note that each tribe has the authority to determine its own membership criteria, and these can vary widely from tribe to tribe. Some tribes may use a combination of these methods to determine membership. For example, the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma requires lineal descent from a documented Cherokee ancestor listed on the Dawes Rolls.