We know that the "Boldt" decision gave certain tribes which signed "treaty" special fishing and hunting "rights" that we do not have. I am not really sure how those "tribes" can legally give or pass on those "rights" to there own people or others.

How does that work? Does each tribe make up its own guide lines on what they "consider" to be true blood line members? Does the state and federal have "guide lines" or other "rules" to control who are truly members of a certain tribe?

If we were to have our own DNA tests made on each of us, and it was proven that we had the same DNA in us as some of the treaty tribes, would we also have access to these "special" fishing and hunting rights? Does anyone have any legal knowledge of how this really works?

On December 12, 2003, Komo news broke a story that showed that new DNA testing now has used science to show that we all have come from some just 33 "mothers". The story can be read at;
http://www.komotv.com/news/story.asp?ID=28763

If it can be proven by doing a DNA test that we have come from the same mother as one of our local tribes have, could the case be made legally that we are also "Indians"?

Since this is all "new science", could it change how the law would review our legal rights to hunt and fish? If we can prove that we have the same DNA as the tribes, could we all get together and out vote them legally? To me, it would make sense, legally, if it could be shown that we indeed had the same blood and DNA as that of that of the tribes do.

Other then blood line, what makes an Indian an Indian?

Anybody got some thoughts on this issue?

PS; please don't bash the tribes on this issue. They have the legal rights to do what they are doing, so this thread is only meant to see, and discuss the issues of blood lines and DNA. If you bash the tribes, someone will surly pull or lock this thread so please DON'T DO IT!

Cowlitzfisherman