Native American Indians in the United States

Native Americans, also known as American Indians, First Americans, Indigenous Americans, and other terms, are the Indigenous peoples of the mainland United States. There are 574 federally recognized tribes living within the US, about half of which are associated with Indian reservations. 
 
The American Indian Religious Freedom Act of 1978 (AIRFA) (42 U.S.C. § 1996.) protects the rights of Native Americans to exercise their traditional religions by ensuring access to sites, use and possession of sacred objects, and the freedom to worship through ceremonials and traditional rites.
 

Federally Recognized Indian Tribes

The U.S. government officially recognizes 574 Indian tribes in the contiguous 48 states and Alaska. These federally recognized tribes are eligible for funding and services from the Bureau of Indian Affairs, either directly or through contracts, grants, or compacts.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs provides contact information for each tribe's Tribal Leader. 

Cultural Resources for Native Americans

Historic Preservation

The National Park Service (NPS) Tribal Preservation Program helps Indian tribes protect resources and traditions important to them. The program funds Tribal Heritage grants for federally recognized Indian tribes to help them with cultural and historic preservation projects.

The program also funds Tribal Historic Preservation Officers, who:

  • Inventory tribal historic properties
  • Prepare and carry out a tribal-wide historic preservation plan
  • Assist federal agencies with reviewing projects on tribal lands​

When a federal agency reviews a project on tribal land, it must consult:

  • The Tribal Historic Preservation Officer (for federally recognized tribes), or
  • A designated representative (for tribes that are not federally recognized).

Federal agencies also must consult with Indian tribes that attach religious and cultural importance to historic properties. It doesn't matter where the properties are located.

Archeology

The Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act:

  • Requires federal agencies and museums to inventory and identify Native American human remains and cultural items in their collections
  • Requires federal agencies and museums to consult with federally recognized Indian tribes on the return of those objects
  • Authorizes grants to document and return human remains and cultural objects to their native people

As part of its archeology program, the National Park Service protects historic sites and shares the past with visitors.

The federal Advisory Council on Historic Preservation assists tribes with critical issues. The nonprofit National Association of Tribal Historic Preservation Officers also helps with this effort.

Other Cultural Resources

  • Trace Indian ancestry
  • Find statistics related to American Indian and Alaska Native populations.
  • Learn how the Census works with American Indians and Alaska Natives.
  • Explore the diversity of the Native people of the Americas at the National Museum of the American Indian.
  • See a list of important Native American places.
  • Read federal news related to Native American land issues.
  • Find out how members of Native American tribes can legally get eagle feathers and parts for ceremonies.
  • Explore American history relating to Native Americans.
  • Learn about World War II Navajo Code Talkers.
  • Read Native American newspapers from the late 19th through the early 20th centuries.


 Website Software Copyright 2022, Your Web Empire Corp.