Native American

Native American
Abbasi786786 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Group	Native Americans
Population	9.7 million (2020 U.S. Census)
Regions	Primarily the United States, with significant populations in Canada and Mexico
Languages	English, Spanish, Native American languages (e.g., Navajo, Cherokee, Ojibwe)
Religions	Native American Church, Christianity, traditional tribal religions
Related	Indigenous peoples of the Americas, First Nations, Métis, Inuit

Native American. The Indigenous peoples of the contiguous United States, encompassing hundreds of distinct tribes, nations, and communities with unique histories, languages, and cultural traditions. Their presence spans millennia, from the pre-Columbian civilizations to complex engagements with European colonizers and the modern United States. Today, they represent a vital and diverse segment of the nation's social and political fabric, actively asserting rights of tribal sovereignty and cultural continuity.

History

The history of these peoples extends back thousands of years, with sophisticated societies like the Mississippian culture building monumental earthworks such as Cahokia. Initial contact with Europeans, including expeditions by Christopher Columbus and Hernán de Soto, initiated profound demographic and social changes. Subsequent centuries were defined by conflict, displacement, and treaty-making, including the Trail of Tears enforced by the Indian Removal Act and the American Indian Wars such as the Battle of the Little Bighorn. Federal policy evolved through phases like termination and the self-determination era, significantly shaped by activism from groups like the American Indian Movement during the Occupation of Alcatraz.

Culture

Cultural practices are immensely diverse, varying significantly between groups like the Plains Indians, Northwest Coast peoples, and Puebloans. Traditional spiritual beliefs are often deeply connected to the land, with ceremonies such as the Sun Dance and the use of sweat lodges being prominent. Artistic expression includes the renowned pottery of the Acoma Pueblo, the weaving of the Navajo, and the totem poles of the Tlingit. The pow wow has become a widespread intertribal celebration of dance, music, and community, while languages like Navajo and Cherokee are the focus of vigorous revitalization efforts.

Demographics

According to the 2020 United States Census, approximately 9.7 million people identify as such, either alone or in combination with other races. Major population concentrations exist in the states of Alaska, Oklahoma, New Mexico, and South Dakota. The largest tribal groupings by self-identification include the Cherokee Nation, the Navajo Nation, and the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. A significant proportion of the population resides in urban areas outside of reservations, with major communities in cities like Los Angeles, Phoenix, and Tulsa.

Contemporary issues

Communities continue to navigate significant challenges, including persistent disparities in healthcare outcomes and educational attainment. Environmental justice is a critical concern, with movements like the Dakota Access Pipeline protests highlighting threats to sacred lands and water resources. Economic development initiatives range from casino gaming enterprises to cultural tourism and sustainable energy projects. The crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women has galvanized widespread advocacy for greater attention and jurisdictional clarity.

Tribal sovereignty and government

The legal doctrine of tribal sovereignty establishes federally recognized tribes as domestic dependent nations with inherent powers of self-government. This government-to-government relationship is affirmed through treaties, statutes like the Indian Reorganization Act, and key Supreme Court decisions. Modern tribal governments, such as those of the Cherokee Nation and the Oglala Sioux Tribe, operate complex judicial systems, law enforcement agencies, and social services. Ongoing legal and political conflicts often center on jurisdiction, land rights, and the scope of regulatory authority vis-à-vis states and the federal government.

Category:Native American Category:Indigenous peoples of the United States