Native Americans FAQs
Both terms are generally acceptable, although many individuals have a preference. “American Indians” refers specifically to indigenous people of the lower 48 states while “Native Americans” includes Alaska Natives as well. Native Hawaiians are not considered to be “Indian” and are their own unique people. “Indian Country” is the term most commonly used to refer to the homeland of Native Americans.
There are 574 federally recognized American Indian and Alaska Native tribes and villages. A federally recognized tribe is an American Indian or Alaska Native tribal entity that has a recognized government-to-government relationship with the U.S. In addition, there are more than 60 state-recognized tribes, which allows for a degree of self-determination at the state level but not at the federal level.
There are 5.2 million Native Americans and Native Alaskans living in the U.S., including those of more than one race. This represents 1.7% of the total U.S. population (U.S. Census Bureau 2020). Enrolled members of federally recognized tribes make up less than half that number, at 1.98 million (Bureau of Indian Affairs, 2005), and more than 70% of American Indians live off tribal lands.
Indian Country refers to the many self-governing Native American communities in the U.S., including Native American reservations and trust lands. Federally recognized tribes and the United States have a government-to-government relationship. They are able to make and enforce laws, determine membership, and license and regulate activities in their jurisdictions. Native Americans are also United States citizens and have the right to vote.
More than 56 million acres make up Indian Country, an area that when combined would be roughly the size of Great Britain. This area is spread across 326 Indian lands, including reservations, rancherias, pueblos, and villages. The largest is the 16-million-acre Navajo Nation Reservation that stretches across three states in the Southwest, and the smallest is a 1.3-acre parcel in California where the Pit River Tribe’s cemetery is located. Many smaller reservations are less than 1,000 acres in size. Some reservations represent tribes’ ancestral lands while others were created by the federal government to forcibly resettle Native Americans away from their homelands. Not all federally recognized tribes have reservations.
Hundreds of languages were once spoken among indigenous people of North America, but today English is the most common language and is used at home, school and work. American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians come from many different cultures with their own languages that are passed down through oral tradition over thousands of years. Today, about 200 of these languages remain, but many have only a handful of speakers. Several tribes are working to revitalize their languages and increase the number of speakers among their members.
Native Americans live like anyone else in the U.S. with few exceptions and do not live in traditional dwellings or wear traditional regalia outside of celebrations or ceremonies. Most are happy to share information about their culture if asked respectfully. There are some reservations that do not allow alcohol or have restrictions on photography – please refer to the visitor guidelines provided for specific information. Although local customs vary, dressing modestly, listening when elders are speaking and leaving artifacts where they lie will help ensure that you are not disrespecting the local norms.