BERKELEY'S ELIZABETH WARREN

By Bob Walsh

 

Elizabeth Hoover is an anthro professor at U C Berkeley.  For many moons she has identified as Native American, and for many moons others have questioned that identity.

This week she made a formal apology, citing her use of "family lore" as the basis for her self-identification as Native American.  She asserted identify as Mohawk and Mi'kmaq but never took any definite steps to confirm that identification until recently.

 

Hoover, standing with Indigenous rights activist Winona LaDuke, after receiving the Oshkiigitiged new gardener award at the Indigenous Farming Conference in 2015.

Back in 2021 her name showed up on an "Alleged Pretendian List" put together by Jacqueline Keeler, an actual Native American writer and activist who put together a roster of over 200 people who are claiming Native ancestry without justification.

Last fall Ms. Hoover issued a statement saying that she had conducted genealogical research and came up with zero records of any tribal membership for any of her ancestors.  

Ms. Hoover has acknowledged that she has benefited from various programs designed to help Native scholars.  The university has declined to comment.  Ms. Hoover said she will no longer identify as Native, but will continue to work with issues to benefit the Native communities.