The real issue was that the tribes involved did not want to be outed at having ancestors who came from another continent. There was fear that it might disrupt their claim to "native" status.
Yeah, because then when immigration is being debated noone could ever say again that "unless you're a Native American then ...blah blah blah"
Racial politics.
The Indians WON'T ever lose their victim statu$ and all the ca$h and benefit$. They will keep their land and "$overeign nation" $tatus, but $till get the government giveaway$ of tax break$ and welfare....that is, all RIGHT$, no RE$PON$IBILITIE$.
They know that; we all do.
Boohoo, poor Indians, they have suffered so. No one else has, just them. "White man's" diseases, alcohol, suicides, out-of-wedlock births -- all from the mean ole white men. No responsibility on their part. All someone else's fault, then, now and forever.
What they are DEATHLY afraid to lose is the their status of "indigenous" and victimhood. With EUROPEANS, omg, as the REAL indigenous people, their status would go up in smoke. Their victimhood would be diminished.
Ancestors would not be a problem; that would be affirmation of their status.
Their panic was a distinct separate group from which they could not claim a direct link
There goes their special status, and associated bennies...
Specially the one where they get to push whitey around.