Hollywood producer accused of faking Cherokee ancestry

Questions about the Native American ancestry of film producer Heather Rae, known for being an activist for Native and Indigenous creators and projects in Hollywood, are being raised after a group published public family records that do not show evidence of Native ancestry.

The Tribal Alliance Against Frauds, an organization that examines claims of Native ancestry from individuals and businesses who publicly represent Native identity, told the New York Post that public family records do not show any ties to tribal heritage for Rae. Citing research published in a blogpost, the group said her family identified as white across multiple public records.

Rae, who was born in California and raised in Boise, Idaho, has said that her mother is Cherokee and has identified as Native American throughout her career. She has not publicly commented on the accusations.

Recently, Rae co-produced Fancy Dance, a film that premiered at the Sundance film festival this year and received financial support from the Cherokee Nation.