Article snippet: WASHINGTON — Senator Elizabeth Warren apologized to Cherokee Nation tribal leaders this week for the hurt her much-publicized DNA test caused them, marking a sharp contrast to her public defense of the results thus far on the campaign trail. During a phone call Thursday with Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Bill John Baker, Warren apologized for how her DNA test caused “confusion” about the tribe’s right to determine its own membership, Cherokee Nation spokeswoman Julie Hubbard said in a statement. “The chief and secretary of state appreciate that she has reaffirmed that she is not a Cherokee Nation citizen or a citizen of any tribal nation,” Hubbard said. “We are encouraged by this dialogue and understanding that being a Cherokee Nation tribal citizen is rooted in centuries of culture and laws not through DNA tests.” The Warren campaign did not respond to a request for comment The DNA test has become a flash point for the Democrat, who is expected to officially announce her presidential candidacy next Saturday in Massachusetts. Though the test showed that she likely has an indigenous ancestor six to 10 generations back, her touting of the results in a highly produced video to back up her claims of Cherokee ancestry outraged some Native Americans. Instead of sweeping aside lingering questions about her identifying as Native American for several years as a law professor, the test results triggered a barrage of criticism and calls to apologize. The Cherokee Nati... Link to the full article to read more