Chapter 1: Understanding Genetic Diversity

Indeed, my Native American DNA differs significantly from European DNA. This distinction brings me joy and pride, and I embrace it wholeheartedly. From an early age, I sensed that my identity set me apart from others.

Now that I've come to terms with who I am, attempts by others to diminish my happiness will not succeed. (Imagine me singing this, even if you’ve never heard my voice.)

When we delve into the science of DNA, we discover that genetic variations between populations have developed over time due to factors like geographic isolation, genetic drift, and natural selection.

Photo by Misolo Cos

These genetic distinctions allow us to trace and identify ancestral lineages, influencing traits such as skin color, disease susceptibility, and various physical attributes.

For Native American communities, there are specific genetic markers prevalent in Indigenous groups that aren't typically found in European populations. One such marker is haplogroups.

Section 1.1: The Role of Haplogroups

Haplogroups are collections of genetic markers that are inherited together, providing insight into an individual’s ancestry. Indigenous peoples across the Americas possess unique haplogroups absent in other populations. For instance, haplogroup C4c is frequently found among maternal lines in North America.

Claiming that Native Americans originated from another continent undermines our ownership, identity, and the civilizations we built on this land.

Subsection 1.1.1: Mitochondrial DNA and Its Significance

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is transmitted from mothers to their offspring, serving as a tool to trace maternal ancestry. Indigenous groups in the Americas possess distinct mtDNA haplotypes that differ from those in other regions. For example, haplotype X is prevalent among Indigenous populations in North America but is uncommon elsewhere.

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Section 1.2: Y-Chromosome DNA and Ancestry

Y-chromosome DNA, passed from fathers to sons, aids in tracking paternal lineage. Indigenous populations in the Americas exhibit unique Y-chromosome markers that are rarely found in other human groups. The Y-chromosome haplogroup Q, for instance, is frequently observed among Indigenous peoples in the Americas but is rare globally.

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Chapter 2: Autosomal DNA and Its Implications

Autosomal DNA, inherited from both parents, provides insights into overall ancestry. Indigenous populations in the Americas have distinct autosomal markers that set them apart from other groups. Recent research has uncovered specific genetic variants that are prevalent in Indigenous communities but uncommon among other populations.

I know, I know. I’m illuminating topics often overlooked in mainstream discussions, and that’s perfectly fine. If you're interested in further exploring and decolonizing history, here are a few recommended readings:

• “Native American DNA: Tribal Belonging and the False Promise of Genetic Science” by Kim TallBear (2013)
• “The Genomic Landscape of Western South America: Andes, Amazonia, and Pacific Coast” by David Reich (2018)
• “Genomic Insights into the Ancestry and Demographic History of South America” by Andrés Moreno-Estrada (2013)

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Your Native friend is a writer and artist who enjoys coffee with milk and a touch of brown sugar—always brown, never white. Over the past five years, she has traveled extensively, lived in four countries, and showcased her art in exhibitions across Indonesia, Mexico, Italy, Argentina, Spain, Chile, and Peru.