Eastern Band Principal Chief Richard Sneed said in a statement that he “strongly condemn” people who try to pass off distant Native ancestry as their race, but they don’t believe that Warren has appropriated their culture.
"Senator Elizabeth Warren does not claim to be a citizen of any tribal nation, and she is not a citizen of the Eastern Band. Like many other Americans, she has a family story of Cherokee and Delaware ancestry and evidence of Native ancestry.
“Warren has not used her family story or evidence of Native ancestry to gain employment or other advantage. On the contrary, she demonstrates respect for tribal sovereignty.”
“Senator Warren has demonstrated her respect for tribal sovereignty and is an ally of the Eastern Band. As such, we support her and other allies — regardless of party — who promote tribal sovereignty, tribal self-determination, and protection of Cherokee women,” Sneed said.
