Tribal Alliance Against Frauds (TAAF)

Tribal Alliance Against Frauds (TAAF) is a left-of-center advocacy that claims to investigate and identifies individuals whom TAAF determines have falsely claimed Native American ancestry or tribal affiliation. 1

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At-A-Glance

Type: Non-profit, 501(c)(3)
Issue Areas: Identity Politics (for race-based policy/activism)
Website: tribalallianceagainstfrauds.org
Formation:

2002

Executive Director:

Lianna Costantino

Location: Cherokee, NC View on map
Tax ID: 88-2580904

Contents

    History and Leadership

    Tribal Alliance Against Frauds (TAAF) was founded in May 2022. 2 In August 2023, TAAF received tax-exempt status from the Internal Revenue Service. 3

    Lianna Costantino is the executive director of TAAF. 4 5 She also is the board chair of the Center for Native Health. 6

    Activities and Funding

    Tribal Alliance Against Frauds (TAAF) is a left-of-center advocacy group that claims to investigate and identifies individuals that TAAF determines to have falsely claimed Native American ancestry as well as organizations that falsely claim to be Native American-affiliated. 7 TAAF works with local tribal governments to conduct its research and refers to individuals it has identified as falsely claiming Native American ancestry as “Pretendians.” 8 9 7

    As of October 2024, TAAF consisted of more than 50 members, some whom remain anonymous to protect their identities from public knowledge. The organization claims to employ investigators, researchers, law enforcement officers, genealogists, educators, scholars, published authors, and members of the entertainment industry. Most of TAAF’s staff are members of federally recognized Native American tribes. 1

    Research and Investigations

    Tribal Alliance Against Frauds (TAAF) claims to focus on identifying individuals, groups, and corporations posing as American Indian Nations (CPAINs) -affiliated entities. 10 8 TAFF provides “cursory searches” on entities or individuals identified as misrepresenting Native American entities which includes genealogical searches as well as publishing articles and documents regarding its findings. 11 12

    In 2023, TAAF claimed that Paul Edward Driskill, an Oregon State University women, gender, and sexuality studies and queer studies professor; falsely claimed to have Cherokee, Lenape, and Osage Native American ancestry after conducting genealogical research. 13

    TAAF also claims to businesses and other institutions based on their engagement with Native American tribes and affiliated entities. 14

    Funding

    Tribal Alliance Against Frauds receives its funding from individual contributions and grants. 15 TAAF reported revenue and expenses of less than $50,000 in 2022 and 2023. 16

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    Financials, employee compensation, and grant information provided by Candid.

    Mentioned in this Article

    References

    1. “Who Is TAAF?” Tribal Alliance Against Frauds. Accessed October 15, 2024. https://tribalallianceagainstfrauds.org/f/who-is-the-taaf-director-and-an-erika-t-wurth-update.
    2. [1] Leigh Howard, Brooke. “The Native American Activist Exposing Celebrity ‘Race-Fakers’.” Daily Beast. July 24, 2023. Accessed October 15, 2024. https://www.thedailybeast.com/the-native-american-activists-exposing-celebrity-race-fakers.
    3. “Determination Letter.” Department of Treasury Internal Revenue Service. August 22, 2023. Accessed October 15, 2024. https://apps.irs.gov/pub/epostcard/dl/FinalLetter_88-2580904_TRIBALALLIANCEAGAINSTFRAUDS_08082023_00.pdf.
    4. “Who is the TAAF Director and an Erika T. Wurth Update.” TAAF Blog. August 29, 2023. Accessed October 15, 2024. https://tribalallianceagainstfrauds.org/f/who-is-the-taaf-director-and-an-erika-t-wurth-update.
    5. “Contact Us.” Tribal Alliance Against Frauds. Accessed October 15, 2024. https://tribalallianceagainstfrauds.org/general-contact-inquiries.
    6. “Lianna Costantino.” LinkedIn Profile. Accessed October 15, 2024. https://www.linkedin.com/in/lianna-costantino-47b36347/.
    7. “Who Is TAAF?” Tribal Alliance Against Frauds. Accessed October 15, 2024. https://tribalallianceagainstfrauds.org/
    8. Lehigh Howard, Brooke. “The Native American Activists Exposing Celebrity ‘Race-Fakers’.” The Daily Beast. July 24, 2023. Accessed October 15, 2024. https://www.thedailybeast.com/the-native-american-activists-exposing-celebrity-race-fakers.
    9. Miller, Joshua Rhett. “Hollywood’s top Native American producer is a fake, activist claim.” New York Post. March 26, 2023. Accessed October 15, 2024. https://nypost.com/2023/03/26/native-american-producer-heather-rae-is-a-fake-activists-claim/.
    10. “Home.” Tribal Alliance Against Frauds. Accessed October 15, 2024. https://tribalallianceagainstfrauds.org/.
    11. “Why We Investigate.” Tribal Alliance Against Frauds. Accessed October 15, 2024. https://tribalallianceagainstfrauds.org/why-we-investigate.
    12.  “Dr. John Roland Lowe.” TAAF. Accessed October 15, 2024. https://tribalallianceagainstfrauds.org/dr-john-lowe.
    13. Palmer, Kathryn. “Oregon State Professor Accused of Falsely Claiming Native Ancestry.” Inside Higher Ed. November 7, 202.3 Accessed October 17, 2024. https://www.insidehighered.com/news/faculty-issues/diversity-equity/2023/11/07/oregon-state-professor-accused-falsely-claiming.
    14. “Institutions and Businesses Report Card.” TAAF. Accessed October 16, 2024. https://tribalallianceagainstfrauds.org/institutions-%26-businesses.
    15. “Help Our Cause.” Tribal Alliance Against Fraud. Accessed October 15, 2024. https://tribalallianceagainstfrauds.org/donations.
    16. “Tribal Alliance Against Frauds.” Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax. (Form 990-N). 2023. https://apps.irs.gov/app/eos/details/.