Question 1

Can Native American ancestry DNA tests tell me what tribe I belong to?

Accepted Answer

No, a DNA test cannot tell you which tribe your ancestors belonged to, nor can it be used to claim tribal affiliation today.

Because all Native Americans descended from Asia to settle in the Americas, their genetic makeup is very similar, even though they came to inhabit far-reaching areas. The DNA of some groups did evolve, but even then, the diverge is not great enough to pinpoint a specific tribe — the best a DNA company can do is pinpoint a smaller region where your ancestors lived.

If you’d like to confirm your indigenous history, I recommend Ancestry. Its report will reveal your Native American heritage and detail the other ethnicities in your DNA.

Question 2

What percentage do you need to be considered Native American?

Accepted Answer

Every indigenous tribe has its own criteria for determining membership. For example, the Navajo Nation requires at least 25% Native American blood, while the Comanche Nation requires at least 12.5%.

It’s important to note that having a particular percentage of Native American ancestry in your DNA is typically not enough to claim tribal affiliation. Many tribes consider membership based on your documented family history and participation.

Using tests from companies like Ancestry are best suited for satiating your curiosity about your lineage or to get hints about where to conduct further research.

Question 3

Can Native American ancestry DNA tests tell me which side of my family is indigenous?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can determine which side of your family has indigenous roots if you take a DNA test that does mtDNA and Y-DNA analysis.

Living DNA is a good example of a company that analyzes your maternal and paternal roots. Best of all, it includes this info as part of its basic package.

If you’re looking for even more in-depth analysis, take a look at FamilyTreeDNA’s offerings. The expert-level test is pricey, but it offers a wealth of info.

Question 4

Why don&rsquo;t my DNA results show my Native American ancestry?

Accepted Answer

There are two common reasons that your DNA results may not show Native American ancestry: you don’t actually have any or it wasn’t passed down.

It’s not uncommon for families to claim Native American heritage, and there are lots of reasons for it. Sometimes it’s as simple as a misunderstanding, and other times it’s simply a case of storytelling.

But what about when you have documented evidence of indigenous history? In this case, your DNA may not show Native American heritage because your ancestors were several generations removed.

Remember: Your parents each contributed about half of their DNA to you. The DNA they passed down was made up of 50% of each their mother and father, whose parents each contributed 50%, and so on. This means that if you had Native American ancestors 10 generations ago, very little or none of their DNA may be present in your genetic makeup.

Question 5

How much do Native American ancestry tests cost?

Accepted Answer

DNA tests for Native American heritage vary in price, but they generally start at about $80 to $100.

My vote for the best Native American ancestry DNA test is Ancestry. It will confirm whether you have indigenous DNA and detail all the other ethnicities in your past. It’s also one of the most affordable tests.

Question 6

Which is the best DNA test for Native American ancestry?

Accepted Answer

Ancestry offers the best DNA test for Native American ancestry. Its ethnicity estimate will paint an accurate picture of where your ancient relatives came from so you can confirm your suspicions or set off on a journey about learning more about your heritage.

Articles by Joann Slover

Joann's a freelance health and wellness writer who loves learning something new — especially the insights provided by DNA tests.