Elizabeth Warren Does Not Register As Native American In U.S. Senate
During her campaign, Elizabeth Warren repeatedly stated that ‘I won’t deny who I am’[1] with regard to being Native American.
Warren also stated that she would be the first Native American Senator from Massachusetts:
When joining the United States Senate in early January 2013, however, Warren declined to list herself as Native American[2]:
Despite repeated claims she is “proud” of her Cherokee heritage, newly minted U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren is keeping that pride under wraps and won’t be taking advantage of a chance to officially list herself as the Bay State’s first Native American U.S. senator.
Aides said Warren, who describes herself as part Cherokee and part Delaware Indian, won’t contact historians at the Senate Historical Office to tell them she’s Native American. The office lists minority senators in its official directory.
Warren’s aides refused further comment, but Betty Koed, an associate historian at the Senate Historical Office, said, “If her office wants to call and have her listed, we’d be happy to do so.” ….
Twila Barnes, a Cherokee who has been a consistent critic of Warren, said her decision is just more proof Warren’s claims are suspect. “I think she just wants this to go away because she knows she has no proof. I think it was something she did to get a job, and it was temporarily convenient,” Barnes said. “She’s saying she’s so proud, then why isn’t she declaring herself and getting involved in Native American issues?”
References
- ^ Brian McGrory, Warren: ‘I won’t deny who I am’, The Boston Globe, June 1, 2012
- ^ Hillary Chabot, Liz won't beat drum, The Boston Herald, Jan. 8, 2013