Indigenous Population within Borders
In the heart of North America, a rich and vibrant history unfolds, a story that spans thousands of years and continues to evolve today. This narrative is that of the Indigenous peoples, a tale of resilience, adaptation, and unyielding spirit.
Indigenous people have been a part of the North American continent for a minimum of 23,000 years, their roots deeply ingrained in the land. Historically, membership within a Native Nation was not solely based on blood, but on culture, language, and active participation in Tribal society.
The arrival of European settlers marked a significant turning point. Colonization of U.S. citizenship for Indigenous peoples occurred 136 years after the U.S. Constitution was ratified. The Indian Citizenship Act of 1924 made Indigenous peoples born in the USA U.S. citizens, a move that was met with mixed reactions. While some Indigenous people saw U.S. citizenship as valuable for having a voice in the system surrounding their ancestral homelands and exercising influence within it, others viewed it as an attempt to assimilate them into colonial society and an affront to Tribal sovereignty.
The Supreme Court of the United States has concluded that Tribal membership is a political, not a racial, classification. Today, members of federally recognized Tribes have dual citizenship under the United States and their respective Tribes.
Among the most populous Indigenous nations in the U.S. today are the Cherokee and the Navajo. The Cherokee, with about 819,000 individuals, primarily inhabit the Southeastern United States, including areas of North Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, and Alabama. The Navajo, with around 330,000–340,000 members, traditionally occupy lands in the Southwest, especially in parts of Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah. No other indigenous group in the U.S. currently has a population exceeding 5 million.
In recent years, Deb Haaland, a member of the Pueblo of Laguna, has made great strides in bringing attention to Native issues. Haaland, who became the first Native woman to serve as Secretary of the Department of Interior, has launched an investigation into boarding schools that the federal government ran with churches to assimilate Native children. She has also preserved public lands, saved sacred sites, and protected water resources.
Haaland has been instrumental in addressing pressing issues such as the epidemic of missing and murdered Indigenous women. Her work underscores the importance of recognizing and addressing the unique challenges faced by Indigenous communities in the U.S.
However, it's essential to acknowledge the struggles Indigenous people have faced in their pursuit of equal rights. Before 1978, practicing one's ancestral beliefs as a Native American could lead to rebukes, exclusions, discrimination, asylums, jail, or even death. The Voting Rights Act of 1965 outlawed exclusionary voting practices based on race or color, but it wasn't until the 1960s that most Tribal members were able to vote, with New Mexico being the last state to confer voting rights to Native peoples in 1962.
Blood quantum law, a federal government invention, defines Native identity by blood ancestry and was implemented to mathematically guarantee Native extinction. This law can exclude individuals with multiple Native bloodlines from Tribal membership, even if they possess nothing but Native ancestry.
As we look to the future, it's clear that the journey of Indigenous peoples in the U.S. is far from over. However, with advocates like Deb Haaland leading the way, there is hope for a more inclusive, equitable, and respectful future for all.
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