Tribe Contradicts Churchill

Ward Churchill, the embattled University of Colorado professor, has only an "honorary" membership in the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians, according to a statement on the tribal website. According to the tribe: "He was not eligible for tribal membership due to the fact that he does not possess a 'Certificate of Degree of Indian Blood' (CDIB) which is under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Department of Interior / Bureau of Indian Affairs."

Federal law requires an individual to have a CDIB in order to receive benefits associated with being a member of a federally recognized tribe. The tribe notes that Churchill may be eligible for membership because he claims to be 1/16 Cherokee (leaving aside the merits of that criterion as a qualifier).

The website statement notes that "[r]eceiving an Associate Membership is akin to receiving an honorary doctorate."

The Denver Post reports that Churchill says the tribal website is wrong. Via e-mail correspondence with Associated Press, Churchill insists that the tribe confirmed his ancestors twice before making him an associate member.

The Denver Post references a paragraph stating that the tribe "deem[s] fraudulent" any claim of membership. This paragraph has been removed from the current tribal website but remains accessible via a Google cache.

All of Churchill's past, present and future claims or assertions of Keetoowah 'enrollment' written or spoken, including but not limited to; biographies, curriculum vitae, lectures, applications for employment, or any other reference not listed herein are deemed fraudulent by the United Keetoowah Band, and should be respected by all media, government and private institutions to be so.

Churchill has been under review by the University of Colorado for allegations of plagerism and for possibly lying about his Native American heritage (one of the factors considered in his initial hiring).

Article edited to add link to tribal membership article .