A couple of things did have a direct bearing on my life.
I have native blood through my Paternal great grandmother who was 100% native. Due to a fire at a records facility, I do not have tribal membership. I tend to always put white on official firms since I can not prove blood "legally." Even having cousins who have membership cards is not a recognized factor.
I can also recall several incidents when I have been treated differently than my friends of color or I have been treated differently because I had friends of color. For Example: When I was 17 a group of fellow Army privates and I went to a local restaurant. 3 of us were or looked white. 2 were black, 2 were Hispanic, and one was Phillipino. At first, things were great. We were all served and treated well. Then that server was off shift and we got a new server. At that point, the people of color had trouble getting drink refills and were not acknowledged. Needless to say, we reported the restaurant when we got back on base but it spoiled that leave for all of us.
