More than 200 Cherokees and other Native Americans are urging Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) to “fully address the harm” caused regarding her previous heritage claims.
The 7-page letter, authored by Cherokee Nation citizens Daniel Heath Justice, Joseph Pierce, Rebecca Nagle, and Twila Barnes, describes Warren’s previous apology as “vague and inadequate.”
So, they’re doubling down on their demand that she set the record straight.
“You have yet to fully address the harm you have caused. While your apologies are a step in the right direction, they have been vague and inadequate. Accountability is not just admitting you made a mistake, but working to correct the harm it caused,” the letter reads.
The letter goes on to discuss Warren’s highly publicized DNA test. As previously reported on IJR, Warren took a DNA test in an effort to prove her ancestry. However, the results only raised more speculation about her claims which the open letter also highlights.
The authors cited details from a previous LA Times investigation into federal contracts secured as a result of dubious heritage claims.
That investigation discovered more than $800 million in no-bid federal contracts designated for minorities went to companies headed by individuals and groups with questionable heritage claims.
Many of the contracts were secured based on commercial DNA test results as opposed to using Native ancestry evidence. In the letter, the group argues that Warren’s actions could set a bad precedent and encourage more of these occurrences.
“Equating Cherokee identity with the results of a DNA test was more than a misstep — it was dangerous,” the letter reads.
The authors closed saying Warren has done “some good” for Native Americans. However, they are still urging her to use her platform as an opportunity to “stand firmly on the side of justice.”
“You have done some good things for Indian Country during your time in political service. You have also done real harm. Right now you have the platform and the opportunity to stand firmly on the side of justice. This is not about politics or your career. This is about the well-being of our nations. The time has come for you to show true leadership and make this right.”
The open letter includes signatures from members of the Cherokee Nation and other Native American tribes.