Sen. Elizabeth Warren has apologized to the Cherokee Nation for taking a DNA test to prove she has indigenous heritage, according to the nation’s spokesperson.
“Senator Warren has reached out to us and has apologized to the tribe,” Cherokee Nationa’s executive director of communications Julie Hubbard said in a statement. “We are encouraged by this dialogue and understanding that being a Cherokee Nation tribal citizen is rooted in centuries of culture and laws not through DNA tests.
“We are encouraged by her action and hope that the slurs and mockery of tribal citizens and Indian history and heritage will come to an end.”
Warren had first taken the DNA test in October after U.S. President Donald Trump had mocked her for years over her assertion she has Native American ancestry, calling her “fake Pocahontas” at political rallies.
WATCH: Elizabeth Warren avoids question on release of DNA test
Trump had even offered $1 million to Warren’s favourite charity if she took “the test and it shows you’re an Indian,” he said.
The test revealed that Warren did have a Native-American segment in her DNA, though the ancestor probably lived six to 10 generations ago.
Trump denied the $1 million offer.
Warren received backlash for taking the test. Cherokee Nation Secretary of State Chuck Hoskin Jr. said “a DNA test is useless to determine tribal citizenship.”
“Sovereign tribal nations set their own legal requirements for citizenship, and while DNA tests can be used to determine lineage, such as paternity to an individual, it is not evidence for tribal affiliation,” he said in a statement at the time. “Using a DNA test to lay claim to any connection to the Cherokee Nation or any tribal nation, even vaguely, is inappropriate and wrong.”
Warren has made clear her intentions to run for president. She has formed an exploratory committee and is expected to formally announce her presidential campaign Feb. 9 after teasing the date on Twitter.
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