Questions about Carrie Underwood

On Facebook's NativeCelebs page, the name of country singer Carrie Underwood came up. She's set to star in her first movie:

Carrie Underwood to make film debut in 'Soul Surfer,' biopic of shark-attack victim Bethany Hamilton

Some sources list Underwood as a Muscogee Creek Indian. In Carrie Underwood, Creek Idol? I quoted these sources. In particular, I quoted her Wikipedia entry that said:Carrie Marie Underwood was born to Stephen and Carole Underwood in Muskogee, Oklahoma, and was raised on her parents' farm in the rural town of Checotah, Oklahoma. She has two older sisters, Shanna and Stephanie, and is a member of Muskogee Creek Nation of Oklahoma.People make fun of Wikipedia, but it gets vetted constantly by readers and editors. I consider it semi-official, at least. I don't think falsehoods stay on it for long.

But now her Wikipedia entry makes no mention of Underwood's being a tribal member or having any Native blood or ties:Carrie Marie Underwood was born to Stephen and Carole Underwood in Muskogee, Oklahoma. She was raised on her parents' farm in the rural town of Checotah, Oklahoma. She has two older sisters, Shanna Means and Stephanie Shelton.The deletion seems significant. People don't take information out unless it can't stand up to scrutiny.

More sources

Checking around the Web raises more questions than it answers. Here's what other sources say:

Carrie UnderwoodReportedly a member of the Muscogee Creek Nation (mainly information spread through her Wikipedia entry, which carries no credence whatsoever). Prior to admission to a tribe, often a "Certificate of Degree of Indian or Alaska Native Blood" must be obtained from the Bureau of Indian Affairs. The Creek tribe at one time had a 1/32 blood quantum requirement. Alternatively, lineal descent to an individual listed on the 1906 Dawes Roll will grant citizenship, no matter the blood quantum. It is not publicly known how much Creek blood Underwood has in her, if any, or whether any membership, if it exists at all, is honorary or actual.What contributions has the Creek Indian's culture given us today?I am Muskogee Creek.

Carrie Underwood is only 1/32 Creek--we don't claim her as part of the tribe (blood quantum rule). She does, however have Creek ancestry, albeit extremely diluted.Carrie Underwood:  American Country IdolDuring her university years, Carrie Underwood was also actively involved in the Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority, and maintained her close ties with the Muscogee Creek Nation of Oklahoma.Close ties, but not necessarily tribal membership or even Native blood.

Cherokee celebs actually Creek?By the way, country singer Carrie Underwood is a full citizen of the Creek Nation. She dyes her hair blonde.

Brother Mountain LionHmm. I tend not to trust anyone named Brother Mountain Lion or Sister Wolf Moon. Until we hear from the Muscogee Creek Nation or Underwood herself, I'd say her status is doubtful. Best guess is that she's 1/32 Creek but not an enrolled tribal member.

For more on the subject, see "Actual Indian" Defined.