Citizenship is offered to those who can substantiate their genealogical connection to our history community. All tribal citizens must have documented historical evidence of both their Indigenous ancestry, and how that Indigenous ancestry is connected to our community. Citizens may not be members of any other tribe, and are entitled to full voting rights.

Requirements:

Must not be enrolled in any other tribe, band, or tribal nation, regardless of recognition status; and

Must demonstrate historically documented descent from the Conestoga-Susquehannock tribe.

Examples:

Descended from John Skenandoah;

Descended from the Conestoga relations listed on the 1768 Penn deed

Descended from the Conestoga listed in the 1845 land claims

Honorary membership offers a cultural home to those who are of Susquehannock descent, but who are already members of existing tribal nations. Current federal policies prevent American Indians from registering for more than one tribe, so this membership only verifies Conestoga-Susquehannock descent. Honorary membership has all the same genealogical requirements of full tribal citizenship.

Requirements:

Must show documented descent from the Conestoga-Susquehannock tribe, but may be enrolled in another tribe.

May not seek voting rights, elected office, or other privileges within the Conestoga-Susquehannock tribe

Examples:

Descended from John Skenandoah, but currently enrolled in the Oneida Nation.

Descended from the Jackson or Benson families enumerated as Indigenous on the York county census, but currently enrolled in the Piscataway tribe.

The Carlisle Indian school represents a very dark chapter in history, and operated in the epicenter of our historic homelands. Some of the thousands of Native children who were stolen and taken to Carlisle were never allowed to re-establish their cultural ties. In order to promote healing, we extend inter-tribal membership to documented descendants of Carlisle Indian School survivors at the discretion of our bylaws.

Requirements:

• Must be a documented descendant of a Carlisle boarding school student AND unable to be enrolled in their nation of origin.

• Adopted citizens are not second-class citizens. They have all the same voting rights and privileges as any full member of the tribe.

Examples:

• Documented descent from a student who attended Carlisle Indian School.