First, let me say that you can be blue eyed and blonde haired and be an American Indian. Visit almost any tribe and you will see it. Second, while USAFA does not require any documentation to claim American Indian status, a tribe and the government does. My husband's tribe requires documentation for generations and generations that goes all the way back to the disbursement of head rights. They will then issue you a membership card that entitles you to certain benefits. The United States Department of the Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs will then issue a card with your name, birthdate, the degree of Indian Blood, the Tribes Authority date, where you are listed on the tribal roll and the issuing date. The card is then signed by the authorized Superintendent.