In addition, many Indian tribes include their own quantum restrictions. The Cherokee Nation, on the other hand, has no quantum restrictions. When considering these numbers it is important to remember that the Cherokee were in direct contact with white settlers prior to the American Revolution. Many prominent Cherokee families included intermarried whites very early on. Many Indian people today would like to see the emphasis on blood quantum fall by the wayside.
Blood quantum is a sterile, inhuman way of calculating authenticity.
When you ask a person how much Indian blood they have, you expect an answer. If they answer your question with a small percentage or if they refuse to answer, you immediately question their authenticity as an Indian. Throughout history the Cherokee people have believed that if you're Cherokee, you're Cherokee. If you're not, you're not. Percentage doesn't matter.