What is the definition of an Indian?

• A. A person living on a reservation
• B. An enrolled member of a federally recognized tribe
• C. A member of any tribe recognized by the state
• D. A person with Native American heritage

Answer: (B)

In federal law, being defined as Indian centers on enrollment in a federally recognized tribe. That enrollment creates the government-to-government relationship between the tribe and the United States and determines eligibility for tribal programs and certain federal rights and protections. Because of that, the best answer is enrollment in a federally recognized tribe.

Living on a reservation does not by itself make someone Indian, since many enrolled Indians live off-reservation. State recognition is not the definitive standard for Indian status—federal recognition is the relevant criterion for most programs and sovereignty matters, and many tribes are not state-recognized. Merely having Native American heritage is also not sufficient for official status, which hinges on enrolled membership in a federally recognized tribe.