Enrollment

NOTICE: 
EXPRESS ENROLLMENT - OPEN 
KNADB ADDITIONS ARE CLOSED


The Ridgetop Shawnee Tribe of Indians have always prided ourselves with regard to our enrollment standards. We require that the applicant prove their Native American heritage. Simply singing a notarized document proclaiming to be of Native American heritage is simply not good enough. We must adhere to these strict guidelines in the event that the Tribe ever (and we have NO plans to do so at anytime in the foreseeable future) decides to pursue some form of formal state and or federal recognition.

Enrollment Process and Standards

- The Ridgetop Shawnee require that prospective members prove documented descent from multiracial settlers in the region from 1790–1870, Use the Kentucky Native American Databank (KNADB) for eligible families. 

- (Optional) Have Y-DNA or MtDNA showing direct-line Native American ancestry. Y-DNA and or MtDNA may be used only to show descent from individuals who are documented as eligible for enrollment. This would be used if the applicant has a gap in their paper trail documenting a linage from an eligible family.

- In 2012 the Ridgetop Shawnee began the Express Enrollment program (ONLY ENROLLMENT OPTION) for descendants of several family lines of mixed-Native American heritage, who have been well-documented as migrating to Southeastern Kentucky, Northeastern Tennessee, and Southwestern Virginia in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. These families and lines are: Sizemore (KY); Fields (KY, VA); descendants of Hawkins Bowman (KY, VA); descendants of Ezekiel Bennett (KY, TN); descendants of John Cole (KY, VA); and descendants of Porter Jackson (KY, VA). (If eligible for enrollment please complete form at bottom of page)

Summary for Full Membership: (Option Closed Until further Notice)
  • Family must be included in the Kentucky Native American Databank (KNADB)
    • An approved genealogy showing direct kinship any of the approved families with associated state and or federal records such as:
    • Marriage Records 
    • Birth records
    • Church Records
    • Y-DNA or MtDNA showing direct-linage (NO DNA PRINTS)
    • Indian Nation citizenship applications (must be 35 years old from date of application to the Ridgetop Shawnee Tribe of Indians)

Meet the requirements for Express Enrollment 
(Enrollment Open -This Enrollment Option IS  FULL ENROLLMENT)
  • Y-DNA or MtDNA showing kinship to a person already enrolled through the program
    • Must match 12/12 markers to the enrolled individual
    • NO DNA PRINTS
  • Paper trail of approved state and or federal documents showing direct blood kinship to a member of the approved express enrollment families.  



All Counties shown above are approved.



Intertribal Membership: (OPEN)

At this time full membership can only be obtained by meeting the requirements mentioned above but we do offer an Intertribal membership. Intertribal membership can be obtained by simply providing proof that the applicant is a member of a formally recognized State and or Federal Tribe. Also, intertribal membership includes those who submit an approved genealogy that proves the applicant is of Native American heritage whose ancestors were not early settlers of Native American heritage in the regions explained above. Intertribal membership cannot be obtained by being a member of a non-recognized tribe. We discourage multi-tribal membership between unrecognized tribes.


Associate Member (Honorary) (CLOSED)

An associate membership can be obtained by anyone of any racial background. They can also participate in tribal functions and gatherings. Associate Membership must also be approved by the Tribal Council and is considered an honorary membership. This type of membership is a privilege not a right, meaning; that everyone who inquires about this type of membership will not be approved. You cannot request associate membership to the Ridgetop Shawnee Tribe of Indians but you can include your name on a list desiring to be considered for Associate Tribal Membership and will be contacted if your name is approved for a vote. You must be nominated by a member of the Tribal Council then a vote will be scheduled.




Kentucky Native American Databank (KNADB)
Additions are CLOSED
We plan on opening the KNADB for additions in June of 2022

The Kentucky Native American Databank, or KNADB, is a comprehensive genealogical database that can be used to help an applicant enroll in the Ridgetop Shawnee Tribe of Indians. The KNADB was developed over the course of the last decade by painstakingly gathering genealogical and historical data on a multitude of Southeastern Kentucky, Southwestern Virginia and Northeastern Tennessee's earliest settlers of Native American heritage.

Not all family patriarchs included in the KNADB are eligible to be used for enrollment. Eligible family trees and or family patriarchs will be labeled Eligible or Not Eligible. The KNADB is free to use and we encourage people to inform us of mistakes and or important additions to the family trees themselves or additions to the historical data included in the KNADB.

You can visit the KNADB by Clicking HERE

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EXPRESS ENROLLMENT
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