"Only Approved Indians"

I am not going to lie, I read this and laughed just at how ridiculous it is.  It seems to be a running trend in ethnic issues in identifying the authenticity of ones ethnic background.  Purity is prized, but how the heck can you identify who is who and how pure they really are?  This issue doesn't just go for native americans, I hear the debate all the time.  In this case, obtaining a BIA card signifies ones "Indianness".  So what does that mean?  Native Americans weren't around until they were identified to be native americans by the invading culture?  So what does this card mean?  Does this mean if I were 100% native american by blood i could get this card, but live a 100% westernized lifestyle?  Meaning as long as I was native american on the outside, i would be native american. What about cultural aspects?  Does one not have to know the language, culture, issues behind their people to identify with them?  What does the card mean?  I know many people who have 100% blood in a certain heritage, but are more white washed than myself.  Heck, I have met many hispanics who dont know spanish, and i have met many Japanese americans who japanese is worse than mine.  I am of european decent, do i know my supposedly native tongue?  nope.... so what defines ethnicity?  it sure isnt a card.... But hey, it sure is nice to get recognition for something that is meaningless right?  I had a good friend who was of cherokee decent in high school, did he know where the cherokee were from?  nope.   But by blood he could get a BIA card.  To be honest, i was more cherokee than him because i at least knew where they were from.  Where is my card?  Blood doesn't indicate culture.  As far as I am concerned, if you are raised in a culture, and identify with that culture, you ARE that ethnicity, despite what your genetic background is.  So for the people in the reading by Jack Forbes, why is a "mexican" not native?  If i might be so bold to pull my knowledge of history out, "mexicans" were also here before the conquistadors....  They are as native as native can get.  Man i love politics....