Blood quantum is a concept created by white settlers that refers to the amount of so-called “Indian blood” that an individual possesses. Blood quantum appears as a fraction and is “calculated” based on an individual’s family tree. It is a way to define Native American identity by degree of affiliation to a tribe in their family ancestry. Blood quantum laws or Indian blood laws are laws in the United States that define Native American status by fractions of Native American ancestry. Nations that use blood quantum often do so in combination with other criteria. The concept of blood quantum was not widely applied by the United States government until the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934. At the time, the federal government required persons to have a certain blood quantum to be recognized as Native American, and thus eligible for financial and other benefits under treaties or sales of land. Tribes on reservations have seemingly been able to maintain exclusive membership by setting higher blood quanta, since the reservation location has generally served to isolate the tribe from non-Indians and intermarriage with them.

Blood quantum policies are little other than genocidal and will eventually lead to the extinction of indigenous people. Blood quantum, as a way to ascribe Native American membership, has dire consequences. For example, if the blood quantum limit is set at ¼ in tribal enrollment, and intermarriage proceeds, natives will eventually be defined out of existence. Blood quantum limits the holistic meaning of what it means to be Native American. Blood quantum laws have caused problems in Native American families whose members were inaccurately recorded as having differing full or partial descent from particular tribes.

In summary, blood quantum is a controversial concept created by white settlers to define Native American identity by degree of affiliation to a tribe in their family ancestry. It is a fraction that is calculated based on an individual’s family tree. Blood quantum laws have been used to determine Native American status and eligibility for financial and other benefits under treaties or sales of land. However, blood quantum policies are little other than genocidal and will eventually lead to the extinction of indigenous people.