Why do SO many white people claim they are "part Cherokee"?

Question:

Why do SO many white people claim they are "part Cherokee"?

Anytime the fact comes up that my great grandfather was a full-blooded Apache, (blatantly white) people overwhelmingly respond that they are part Cherokee?

I have never seen anyone have any proof or be even remotely tied to their supposed tribe/tribal organization/predominantly native relatives/cultural customs.

Another question is, even if you do have a trace of Native American blood, at one point is it SO insignificant (like 1/67th native american) that it's pretty much false to claim it? Do white people say they're part Cherokee because it sounds cool? Do they not realize their being kind of disrespectful

I believe in having pride in your roots, but sometimes it just feels like cultural appropriation to me, and it's kind of annoying.

Additional Details

7 months ago
To those of you who think I'm being racist, read something about cultural appropriation. Many people of all colors in fact do not appreciate their culture being claimed by someone else when it is a pure lie. It's like African Americans feeling bitter when someone claims that Elvis invented rock n' roll.

When people get a dream catcher tattoo and then claim it's to honor their Native American heritage, but know absolutely nothing about its history, spiritual beliefs, or customs, yeah, you're off-base. Honor your true roots instead of making ours a cheap commodity.
Thank you.

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: 7 months ago
To those of you who think I'm being racist, read something about cultural appropriation. Many people of all colors in fact do not appreciate their culture being claimed by someone else when it is a pure lie. It's like African Americans feeling bitter when someone claims that Elvis invented rock n' roll.

When people get a dream catcher tattoo and then claim it's to honor their Native American heritage, but know absolutely nothing about its history, spiritual beliefs, or customs, yeah, you're off-base. Honor your true roots instead of making ours a cheap commodity.
Thank you.