THE ANTI-PRETENDIAN ACT (APA)

Petition to Protect Indigenous Identity, Tribal Sovereignty, Historical Integrity, and the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Throughout the Americas

Petition to the United States Congress, Department of Justice, Federal Trade Commission, and Social Media Platforms

We, the undersigned, respectfully call upon the United States Congress and relevant federal agencies to enact legislation known as the Anti-Pretendian Act (APA) to combat fraudulent claims of Indigenous identity, the sale of fake tribal credentials, the spread of historical misinformation, and the exploitation of Indigenous cultures and histories for financial, political, or social gain.

Across social media platforms, online marketplaces, and public forums, there has been a significant increase in individuals and organizations falsely claiming Indigenous ancestry, tribal citizenship, tribal authority, or cultural affiliation without legitimate evidence, community recognition, or authorization from legitimate Indigenous nations.

In many cases, these individuals profit from such claims by selling tribal identification cards, enrollment documents, ancestry certifications, memberships, educational programs, and other products or services that falsely imply Indigenous status or governmental authority.

The rapid growth of artificial intelligence and social media has further accelerated the spread of fabricated historical narratives, altered documents, false genealogies, manipulated images, and misinformation regarding the origins and histories of Indigenous peoples throughout North America, Mexico, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean.

These practices create confusion, undermine legitimate Indigenous communities, and distort the public understanding of Indigenous history.

Recognition of Indigenous Peoples Throughout the Americas

The Anti-Pretendian Act recognizes that Indigenous peoples exist throughout the Western Hemisphere and are not limited to those tribes currently recognized by the United States federal government.

Many Indigenous nations and communities exist in Mexico, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean and therefore fall outside the jurisdiction of the U.S. federal tribal recognition system. Additionally, many descendants of Indigenous peoples living within the United States, including many Chicanos, Mexican Americans, Native Mexicans, Indigenous Mexicans, and other Indigenous descendants of the Americas, may possess documented ancestral, genealogical, cultural, linguistic, historical, or community connections to Indigenous peoples despite not being enrolled in federally recognized tribes.

The purpose of this Act is not to invalidate legitimate Indigenous ancestry claims, family histories, cultural identities, or community affiliations. Rather, it is intended to prevent deliberate fraud, impersonation, and misrepresentation by individuals or organizations who knowingly fabricate Indigenous identities, invent tribal affiliations, create fraudulent tribal governments, or falsely claim Indigenous heritage for profit, influence, or personal gain.

Legislative Requests

We respectfully request that Congress:

1. Criminalize Fraudulent Tribal Identity Schemes

Establish federal penalties for knowingly selling, issuing, marketing, or distributing fraudulent tribal memberships, tribal identification cards, enrollment documents, certificates, or credentials that falsely imply recognition or authority.

2. Protect Consumers From Indigenous Identity Fraud

Expand consumer protection laws to prohibit deceptive business practices involving false claims of Indigenous ancestry, tribal citizenship, tribal authority, or cultural representation.

3. Investigate Fraudulent Organizations

Direct the Federal Trade Commission and Department of Justice to investigate individuals and organizations engaged in deceptive Indigenous identity schemes and the sale of fraudulent tribal credentials.

4. Address Historical Misinformation

Require greater transparency regarding AI-generated historical content, fabricated genealogical records, manipulated historical documents, and synthetic media that misrepresents Indigenous histories or identities.

5. Establish Social Media Accountability

Encourage social media companies to develop systems for reporting and reviewing demonstrably false claims involving:

Fraudulent Indigenous identities
Fake tribal governments
Fraudulent tribal memberships
Fabricated historical narratives
AI-generated misinformation presented as factual history
6. Protect Tribal Sovereignty

Affirm the right of legitimate Indigenous nations and communities to determine their own citizenship, enrollment, cultural standards, and membership criteria.

7. Support Historical Accuracy

Fund educational initiatives developed in consultation with Indigenous nations, historians, archaeologists, linguists, genealogists, and cultural experts to promote evidence-based Indigenous history and cultural literacy.

8. Protect Indigenous Peoples Throughout the Americas

Recognize that fraudulent claims of Indigenous identity may impact Indigenous peoples throughout North America, Mexico, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean and that protections should extend beyond the federal tribal recognition framework.

Purpose of the Anti-Pretendian Act

The Anti-Pretendian Act is not intended to suppress free speech, academic inquiry, genealogical research, or legitimate discussions concerning ancestry and identity.

Its purpose is to:

Protect Indigenous peoples from fraud and exploitation.
Preserve the integrity of Indigenous identities and histories.
Protect tribal sovereignty and self-determination.
Prevent financial exploitation through false identity claims.
Promote historical accuracy and transparency.
Address the misuse of artificial intelligence and social media in spreading fabricated Indigenous histories.
The Act seeks to ensure that Indigenous peoples and their histories are represented truthfully, respectfully, and responsibly.

Call to Action

The identities, cultures, histories, and nations of Indigenous peoples deserve protection from fraud, exploitation, and deliberate misinformation.

We urge Congress, federal agencies, and social media companies to take meaningful action to protect Indigenous communities throughout the Americas and to enact the Anti-Pretendian Act (APA).

By signing this petition, we support the protection of Indigenous identity, the preservation of historical truth, the defense of tribal sovereignty, and the prevention of fraudulent claims that exploit Indigenous peoples for personal gain.