Tribes determine how to organize their governments and they also determine who  can be a member of their Tribe.   Do not assume someone is or is not a Native American based on appearance. A Native American is someone who:

• Has a quantum, or percentage of Indian blood set by an individual tribe as the criterion for membership;
• Can track their history to a certain time frame; or,
• Is recognized by that tribe as a member by other criterion.

If you have Native American ancestry, remember that ancestry alone does not make you a tribal member. Therefore, avoid reference to your heritage when representing your agency unless asked by a Tribal member.