That reversal creates another important question.

If DNA helped the tribe’s case, should genetic testing become the standard proof Native communities need to reclaim ancient ancestors?

Many tribal advocates would say no.

Genetics can be powerful, but identity is not reducible to DNA.

Tribes are political, cultural, historical, and kinship communities.

Their relationships to places and ancestors are not created by a laboratory result.

There are practical problems too.

Not every ancient individual preserves usable DNA.

Not every community wishes to permit destructive testing.

Genetic databases are uneven.