External, nonindigenous validation of Native identity, unlike community validation, is not grounded in a reasonable foundation. While it makes sense that a community should define its members, it does not make sense for an external entity to define indigenous people. It is not up to the federal government or any dominant society institution to pass judgement on the validity of any individual's claim to an indigenous identity. Likewise, it is not up to the Navajos in the story to define who the Lakotas are, nor should the Lakota attempt to define who is truly Navajo.
-from Indigenous Identity What is it, and Who really has it? by Hilalry N. Weaver
American Indian Quarterly/Spring 2001/Vol.25, No.2 page 248
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