The Seattle Post-Intelligencer is running a lengthy story that debunks the personal and professional claims of Terry Tafoya, a man who says he is Indian and an expert on bilingual, cultural and other issues.

Tafoya says he grew up in Taos Pueblo, New Mexico, and is enrolled in the tribe. But the tribe has no records of his membership.

"If he's not enrolled, then he's not Taos," Taos Pueblo Gov. James Lujan told the paper.

Family members say Tafoya's father spoke Tiwa, the language at Taos, and may have had Indian blood. But Tafoya grew up mainly in Pompano Beach, Florida, not New Mexico, his relatives say.

Tafoya says his mother is Warm Springs. But he was adopted, culturally, by a Warm Springs family who doesn't mind that he claims to be from the tribe despite lacking a blood tie. Others, however, are upset that Tafoya trades on his alleged Indian heritage for financial and professional gain. He earns hundreds of thousands of dollars of years in speaking and other fees, many paid by state and federal agencies.

Tafoya also lacks a Ph.D. despite claiming he earned one. He is not a licensed psychologist as he says and lacks licensing to be a therapist in the state of Washington, where he resides.

Get the Story:
Masking the Truth: False claims on tribal ties, degrees tarnish counselor (The Seattle Post-Intelligencer 6/21)

Relevant Links:
Tamanawit UnLtd. - http://www.tamanawit.com