Want to join the Cherokee Nation? You might be one of the 750,000 Americans who claim to be a rightful member, but you’ll need to prove it.
But it doesn’t distribute casino earnings to members. As one of the biggest tribes in the country, the Cherokees are modestly well-off: The nation has a budget of $350 million for 270,000 citizens. Other tribes send out more modest annual checks of $1,000 or less. The Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians, for example, has paid its members $30,000 per month from casino earnings. Members of some Native American tribes receive cash payouts from gaming revenue.
