Hello, I'm 1/16th Cherokee. I know it's not much, but in your opinion, would it be acceptable if I associated myself or embraced the culture? The culture has always interested me ever since I was young. I'm white, but I do have some facial features.

All Natives have undergone the process of assimilation to one extent or another. We have to get away from colonial dogma. One aspect of colonialism is the concept of blood quantum. Blood quantum was specifically invented by the Federal government with the intent of forcing Tribes into extinction.

If you belong to a Tribe, that’s who you are. You aren’t 1/16th of a person. It’s fine for you to embrace your heritage if you know it to be so, but if you do, please embrace it all. Learn their ways and assist fellow Tribal members and the Native community at large. Don’t simply use your bloodline to vouch for appropriation or mascotry. We see this all too often. We dislike it when people claim tribal heritage (often times Cherokee for some reason) but only when its beneficial for them and its used against tribal interests.