Members of the White Earth Band of Ojibwe in Minnesota are voting today on a constitutional amendment to eliminate blood quantum.

The tribe currently requires all members to possess at least 1/4 Indian blood. Eliminating the requirement would open the doors to thousand of descendants.

"I think we're definitely in a historic moment for the White Earth Nation," Jill Doerfler, who doesn't meet the requirement, told Minnesota Public Radio.

Studies show that keeping the requirement could lead to a drastic decline in enrollment for the tribe in the next 30 to 50 years.

Get the Story:
Vote could eliminate 'blood quantum' rule for White Earth Band of Ojibwe (Minnesota Public Radio 11/18)
Historic vote for White Earth: Election Tuesday will determine new Constitution (Forum News Service 11/16)