Two prominent Native Americans accused of faking their Cherokee heritage: "They're just trying to make a buck off of us"

Claiming you had cancer is so early 2015. Claiming you’re black? That’s a June thing. Welcome to the now, people, where saying you’re Cherokee is where it’s at.

In what has to be a news cycle first, on Tuesday two separate stories emerged of prominent Native Americans whose ancestry has come into question. First, ArtNet reported that federal prosecutors are charging Kansas City artist and musician Terry Lee Whetstone of selling “authentic Native American” paintings, sculptures and jewelry under the guise of “Native American Musician, Artist, and Teacher.” They say that “He is not a member of the federally-recognized Cherokee Nation.” Unlike simply choosing to call yourself “transracial” and hoping that it sticks when people ask about your parents, inaccurately claiming to be Native American can carry serious consequences. Misrepresenting “goods and products” as Native American-made is considered a misdemeanor that can carry a punishment of up to a year in prison.

http://www.salon.com/2015/07/01/two_prominent_native_americans_accused_of_faking_their_cherokee_heritage_they%E2%80%99re_just_trying_to_make_a_buck_off_of_us/