Native Americans in the United States

Native Americans in the United States
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Group	Native Americans in the United States
Population	9,666,058 (2020 census)
Popplace	Alaska, Great Plains, Southwestern United States, Pacific Northwest
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 Americans in the United States. They are the indigenous peoples whose ancestors inhabited the continent prior to the arrival of Christopher Columbus and subsequent European colonization of the Americas. Comprising hundreds of distinct tribal nations with unique cultures and histories, they have a complex relationship with the Federal government of the United States defined by treaties, conflict, and resilience. Today, their communities are vital parts of the national fabric, actively engaged in preserving their heritage and asserting their sovereign rights.

History

The history of these peoples spans millennia, with archaeological sites like Cahokia and Mesa Verde demonstrating advanced pre-Columbian civilizations. Initial contact with Europeans, such as the Spanish Empire in the Southwestern United States and English colonists at Jamestown, led to profound demographic changes from disease and conflict, including events like the Trail of Tears and the Wounded Knee Massacre. The 19th century was marked by expansionist policies like Manifest destiny, numerous American Indian Wars such as the Battle of the Little Bighorn, and the establishment of the Indian reservation system. Key federal policies evolved from the Dawes Act to the Indian Reorganization Act and the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act of 1975.

Demographics

According to the 2020 United States Census, over 9.6 million people identify as part of this ethnic group, with significant populations in states like Alaska, Oklahoma, Arizona, and New Mexico. Major tribal groupings by population include the Cherokee Nation, the Navajo Nation, and the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. Urban centers such as Los Angeles, Phoenix, and New York City also have large populations, a trend accelerated by federal relocation programs like the Indian Relocation Act of 1956. The American Community Survey tracks data on education, income, and housing, which often lags behind national averages.

Culture

Cultural traditions are immensely diverse, varying widely among nations like the Iroquois of the Northeast, the Lakota of the Great Plains, and the Puebloans of the Rio Grande. Artistic expressions include pottery from the Hopi and San Ildefonso Pueblo, textiles like Navajo rugs, and contemporary works by artists such as Fritz Scholder. Spiritual practices are deeply connected to the land, with ceremonies like the Sun Dance and the use of structures such as sweat lodges. The National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C. and institutions like the Heard Museum in Phoenix are dedicated to preserving and showcasing this heritage.

Contemporary issues

Modern communities face a range of challenges, including disparities in healthcare outcomes, educational attainment, and economic development. Environmental justice is a critical concern, with activism against projects like the Dakota Access Pipeline at Standing Rock bringing international attention. Movements such as MMIW advocate for addressing violence against women, while there are ongoing efforts for federal recognition of tribes like the Lumbee. Cultural appropriation in media and sports, seen in controversies over mascots like the former Washington NFL team name, remains a point of activism and discussion.

Tribal sovereignty and law

The legal doctrine of tribal sovereignty establishes recognized tribes as domestic dependent nations with inherent powers of self-government. This sovereignty is upheld through a government-to-government relationship with the Department of the Interior and the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Key legal foundations include the Marshall Trilogy of Supreme Court cases and the Indian Civil Rights Act of 1968. Tribes operate their own court systems, police forces, and tax codes, and engage in enterprises like casino gaming under laws such as the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. Land and resource rights, often defined by historic treaties, are frequently litigated in courts like the Ninth Circuit.

Category:Native American topics