We the Association of American Indian and Alaska Native Professors hereby establish and present our position on ethnic fraud and offer recommendations to ensure the accuracy of American Indian/Alaska Native identification in American colleges and universities. This statement is developed over concern about the racial exploitation of American Indians and Alaska Natives in American colleges and universities. We think it is necessary to establish our position on ethnic fraud because of documented incidents of abuse. This statement is intended to assist universities in their efforts to develop culturally diverse campus communities. The implications of this statement are threefold: (1) to assist in the selection process that encourages diversity among students, staff, faculty, and administration; (2) to uphold the integrity of institutions and enhance their credibility with American Indian/Alaska Native Nations/Tribes; and (3) to recognize the importance of American Indian/Alaska Native Nations/Tribes in upholding their sovereign and legal right as nations to determine membership.

The following prioritized recommendations are intended to affirm and ensure American Indian/Alaska Native identity in the hiring process. We are asking that colleges and universities:

1. Require documentation of enrollment in a state or federally recognized nation/tribe with preference given to those who meet this criterion;
2. Establish a case-by-case review process for those unable to meet the first criterion;
3. Include American Indian/Alaska Native faculty in the selection process;
4. Require a statement from the applicant that demonstrates past and future commitment to American Indian/Alaska Native concerns;
5. Require higher education administrators to attend workshops on tribal sovereignty and meeting with local tribal officials; and
6. Advertise vacancies at all levels and on a broad scale and in tribal publications.