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Native Americans

This entry focuses on peoples with ancestral ties to the native inhabitants of North American lands that are now known as the United States of America, Canada, and Mexico. These peoples represent numerous distinct nations and cultures. They are referred to by many names, including Native Americans, Alaska Natives (including the Inuit or Eskimos, Aleuts, and Arctic Indians), American Indians, Indigenous Peoples, People of the Sovereign Nations and Tribes, People of Turtle Island, in Canada as First Nations people, and in Mexico as los indígenas. The terms Native Americans and American Indians and Alaska Natives will be used to refer to the multitude of native groups. Although this entry is written with the utmost respect for those who are descendants of the first peoples to inhabit North America, it focuses primarily on groups who have ties to the North American lands of the United States.

Demographics

In terms of establishing Native American identity, there is no universally accepted criterion. Tribal membership is determined by the tribe itself, and criteria vary across tribes. According to the U.S. government's Bureau of Indian Affairs, to be eligible for services through this organization, an individual must be a member of a state- or federally recognized tribe and must have at least one-half Indian blood of tribes native to the United States of America, or at least one-fourth Indian ancestry. Whether one has physical features, particularly facial ones, that are consistent with Native American physiognomy has both social and psychological implications; it can affect self-concept and acceptance by both Native and majority culture groups.

Population Statistics

As of the 2000 U.S. Census, there were 561 federally recognized tribes/nations in the United States, as well as others that are seeking such status and/or are recognized by states or other jurisdictions. Although the Native American population has been reduced by war and disease resulting from contact with Europeans, the population now is more than six times greater than its historic low of 248,000 in 1890, as detailed by the U.S. Department of Commerce. At present, Native Americans represent approximately 1% of the U.S. population. Those who identified themselves as being solely of Native ancestry numbered 2,475,956 in the 2000 U.S. Census. The number of Native Americans who also identified themselves as having both Native and other ethnic ancestry was more than 4 million. Furthermore, the Native American population tends to be young, with U.S. Census data indicating that about 45% are under the age of 25 and about 34% are under the age of 18, compared with 26% under the age of 18 in the total U.S. population.

Education

Level of educational attainment of course varies within Native American groups. Overall Native American educational achievement, however, is relatively low, similar to the rates for African Americans but higher than for Hispanics and lower than for Asians. According to U.S. Census data, approximately 71% of Native Americans have a high school degree or higher, as compared with 84% of Caucasians.

Location

American Indians and Alaska Natives live in virtually all geographic areas of the United States. Approximately three-fifths of Native Americans live in urban areas. United States Census data show that Native Americans reside in the West (43%), South (31%), Midwest (17%), and Northeast (9%). Approximately 25% to 33% of Native Americans live on reservations. Currently, there are about 275 Native American reservations, totaling 56.2 million acres, according to the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

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