Native American identity has countless hurdles. You're Indian if you're a member of a federally recognized tribe, according to the Federal Government & recognized Tribes. Meaning, you have to meet the requirements of a certain blood quantum. If you don't fit that requirement, then in the eyes of the Feds, you're not Indian. It's debatable if you're seen as Indian in the eyes of the Tribe after that, because being Native isn't just a matter of the Feds saying so. Some say that blood quantum doesn't matter that much, that it's living the lifestyle that's important (be it going to cultural events or living on a reservation, etc, etc). Others say it's a combination of both, or neither, or some relative judgement.
But no matter who you are, a federally recognized 1/8th, a full blood that isn't indian according to the Feds, or the Urban Native who's never been to a Reservation, I think we can all agree that banishing fellow Indians is a proverbial slippery slope that can only end badly for all involved.
Banishing has been a controversial policy since day one, and in this age of increasing tribal memberships, it demands more conversation. Every Tribal Government has different policies when it comes to banishment, but the outcome is similar every time: The banished take it to a federal power who can enforce their will one way or the other on the Tribes.
This is a situation that no Tribe should put themself in. It erodes Tribal Sovreignity like acid through titanium (slowly and surely). Sovreignity, a right that is under constant assault, doesn't need another detractor. Unless we want Tribal Sovreignity weathered away to a Student Council level of power, we as a people must be careful how Tribal powers are used.
A good example of letting the Federal Government have say when they otherwise wouldn't have had it without banishing being involved is provided thus:
from the Omaha World-Herald:
A state judge today ordered four members of the Omaha Tribal Council to
stop meddling in the affairs of the school on the tribe's reservation
in Macy, Neb.
The order, signed by District Judge
Darvid Quist, settles a conflict that began in May when the tribal
council voted to banish the superintendent of the Omaha Nation School,
Morris Bates, and two other school administrators, from the northeast
Nebraska reservation.
Bates, but not the other
administrators, was escorted to the border of the reservation by a
tribal police officer.
That prompted the school
district to seek an injunction against the tribal council members
behind the action -- Ansley Griffin, Barry Webster, Amen Sheridan and
Sterling Walker.
The judge's order says the school
district is the sole responsibility of the elected school board and
that the tribal members may not meddle in the operation of the district
or the work of its employees.
Bates was able to return
to work in Macy a few days after the banishment when the county sheriff
agreed to escort him, if necessary, to the school.