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Senator Elizabeth Warren apologises to Cherokee Nation for DNA test | Senator Elizabeth Warren apologises to Cherokee Nation for DNA test |
(35 minutes later) | |
Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren has apologised to the Cherokee Nation for taking a DNA test in October to prove her Native American ancestry. | Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren has apologised to the Cherokee Nation for taking a DNA test in October to prove her Native American ancestry. |
The presidential hopeful called the Cherokee Nation's chief on Thursday to make amends for causing confusion, according to a tribe official. | The presidential hopeful called the Cherokee Nation's chief on Thursday to make amends for causing confusion, according to a tribe official. |
She has never claimed tribal membership but took the DNA test after a challenge from President Donald Trump. | She has never claimed tribal membership but took the DNA test after a challenge from President Donald Trump. |
Ms Warren had previously defended her decision to publicise the DNA results. | Ms Warren had previously defended her decision to publicise the DNA results. |
The Massachusetts senator faced swift backlash from US tribes and Republicans over the move, which came just before she announced her 2020 presidential bid. | The Massachusetts senator faced swift backlash from US tribes and Republicans over the move, which came just before she announced her 2020 presidential bid. |
In a statement to US media, Cherokee Nation spokeswoman Julie Hubbard said Ms Warren had apologised during a brief phone call with principal chief Bill John Baker. | In a statement to US media, Cherokee Nation spokeswoman Julie Hubbard said Ms Warren had apologised during a brief phone call with principal chief Bill John Baker. |
"We are encouraged by this dialogue and understanding that being a Cherokee Nation tribal citizen is rooted in centuries of culture and laws not through DNA tests," Ms Hubbard said. | "We are encouraged by this dialogue and understanding that being a Cherokee Nation tribal citizen is rooted in centuries of culture and laws not through DNA tests," Ms Hubbard said. |
"We are encouraged by her action and hope that the slurs and mockery of tribal citizens and Indian history and heritage will now come to an end." | "We are encouraged by her action and hope that the slurs and mockery of tribal citizens and Indian history and heritage will now come to an end." |
The apology was first reported by The Intercept. | The apology was first reported by The Intercept. |
While Ms Warren initially said she had a right to respond to the president's attacks on her background, her change of tune comes as she prepares to visit early voting states ahead of the 2020 election. | While Ms Warren initially said she had a right to respond to the president's attacks on her background, her change of tune comes as she prepares to visit early voting states ahead of the 2020 election. |
Ms Warren had reportedly told advisers she feared she had damaged her relationships with Native American tribes, according to the New York Times. | Ms Warren had reportedly told advisers she feared she had damaged her relationships with Native American tribes, according to the New York Times. |
The president has repeatedly called Ms Warren a "fake Pocahontas", referencing the daughter of a 17th-Century chief, and has used the taunt in front of Native-Americans. | The president has repeatedly called Ms Warren a "fake Pocahontas", referencing the daughter of a 17th-Century chief, and has used the taunt in front of Native-Americans. |
In an interview with the New York Times on Thursday, Mr Trump said Mrs Warren's credibility had "been hurt very badly with the Pocahontas trap". | In an interview with the New York Times on Thursday, Mr Trump said Mrs Warren's credibility had "been hurt very badly with the Pocahontas trap". |
"I think she's been hurt badly. I may be wrong, but I think that was a big part of her credibility, and now all of a sudden it's gone." | |
Ms Warren shared the DNA results after Mr Trump challenged her at a July rally to take a test to prove her indigenous background. | Ms Warren shared the DNA results after Mr Trump challenged her at a July rally to take a test to prove her indigenous background. |
The senator said the test found "strong evidence" of distant Native heritage six to 10 generations back. | The senator said the test found "strong evidence" of distant Native heritage six to 10 generations back. |
But her campaign-style video reveal drew sharp criticism from some tribal leaders and Ms Warren's political rivals. | But her campaign-style video reveal drew sharp criticism from some tribal leaders and Ms Warren's political rivals. |
Cherokee Nation Secretary of State Chuck Hoskin Jr had issued a statement shortly after saying: "Senator Warren is undermining tribal interests with her continued claims of tribal heritage." | Cherokee Nation Secretary of State Chuck Hoskin Jr had issued a statement shortly after saying: "Senator Warren is undermining tribal interests with her continued claims of tribal heritage." |
"It makes a mockery out of DNA tests and its legitimate uses while also dishonouring legitimate tribal governments and their citizens, whose ancestors are well documented and whose heritage is proven." | "It makes a mockery out of DNA tests and its legitimate uses while also dishonouring legitimate tribal governments and their citizens, whose ancestors are well documented and whose heritage is proven." |
Ms Warren's Republican opponents were also quick to criticise - Senator Lindsey Graham told Fox News he would also take a test to try and "beat" her results. | Ms Warren's Republican opponents were also quick to criticise - Senator Lindsey Graham told Fox News he would also take a test to try and "beat" her results. |
The row over Ms Warren's heritage dates back years, as Republicans have long accused her of improperly claiming Native American ancestry to further her law career - allegations Ms Warren has denied. | The row over Ms Warren's heritage dates back years, as Republicans have long accused her of improperly claiming Native American ancestry to further her law career - allegations Ms Warren has denied. |