The bad thing about genealogy research is that it is very time consuming and requires a great deal of patience. It can become expensive with long distance phone calls, stamps, travel, books, copy fees, and computer software. The rewards are great. Whenever you honor your ancestors, they in turn will honor your children's, children's, children. In today's fast-paced, impersonal world, it is nice to have roots to ground ourselves and provide a since of pride and direction.
Families have a since of security and know where they are going when they know where they have been.
If you are attempting to prove your American Indian ancestry because of some government benefit program, do not waste your time. Self-serving purposes do not honor your ancestors, so your ancestors will hide from you. There is more to qualifying for the so-called benefits than just proving lineage. Check it out before you waste your time. If your purpose is to give your family a gift of knowledge, then you are on the right path.