Anyone who has filled out a census form or job application has likely wondered where Native American identity begins and ends—it’s less about a single ethnic box and more about legal status, tribal citizenship, and cultural belonging, shaped by centuries of treaties and sovereign self-governance. This guide walks through key distinctions from terminology to modern demographics, drawing from official sources.

Population (2020 Census): 3.7 million American Indian and Alaska Native alone, over 5 million including multiracial ·
Federally recognized tribes: 574 tribes in the United States ·
Reservation residence: About 20% live on reservations; 80% live outside ·
Year citizenship granted: 1924 (Indian Citizenship Act) ·
Top states by population: California, Oklahoma, Arizona

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
3Timeline signal
4What’s next
  • Growing urban Native population reshaping cultural preservation efforts (Native American Rights Fund)
  • Federal recognition petitions by tribes outside the 574 continue (Bureau of Indian Affairs)

Five key facts, one pattern: American Indian and Alaska Native identity rests on a foundation of legal recognition and tribal sovereignty, not just ancestral lineage.

Attribute Value
Total AIAN population (2020) 3.7 million (alone); 5.2 million (including multiracial)
Number of languages spoken Approximately 175 Indigenous languages still spoken
Largest tribes Cherokee, Navajo, Choctaw, Chippewa, Sioux
Year first Native American elected to Congress Charles Curtis (Kaw) in 1907 (later VP); first Native American woman: Deb Haaland (2021)
Percentage of land held as trust About 56 million acres (2.3% of US land)

What does it mean to be a Native American?

Being Native American is both a legal status defined by tribal citizenship and a cultural identity rooted in community and tradition. The U.S. Department of Justice notes that no single federal or tribal criterion establishes a person’s identity as an Indian (U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Tribal Justice). Instead, it is a political classification determined by Tribal Nations’ laws, not a matter of race (Native American Rights Fund).

Tribal enrollment and citizenship

  • Many tribes require a certain blood quantum or lineal descent for enrollment (Native American Rights Fund).
  • Who may hold citizenship in any nation, including Tribal Nations, depends on criteria determined by that nation’s laws (Native American Rights Fund).

Cultural identity vs. legal status

While cultural practices like powwows and language preservation are central to Native identity, legal recognition by a federally recognized tribe determines access to federal services and protections (U.S. Department of Justice). The protections and services provided by the United States flow from membership in a Tribe recognized by the United States and its special trust relationship, not from Indian identity in an ethnological sense (U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Tribal Justice).

The upshot

Tribal citizenship is a political status, not an ethnic label. A person with no Native ancestry can be a citizen of a tribe if the tribe’s laws allow it, while someone with ancestry may not be enrolled.

The implication: Being Native American means navigating a system where tribal sovereignty and federal criteria intersect — and where identity is as much a legal status as a cultural one.

Who is an American Indian or Alaska Native?

The Bureau of Indian Affairs defines an American Indian or Alaska Native as a person who is a member of a federally recognized tribe (Bureau of Indian Affairs Editorial Guide). Alaska Natives — Inupiat, Yupik, Aleut, and others — are culturally distinct from the American Indians of the continental United States, though both groups fall under the same federal designation (Native American Rights Fund).

Definition used by the Bureau of Indian Affairs

  • The BIA editorial guide says most tribal nations prefer the term “American Indian and Alaska Native” (Bureau of Indian Affairs).
  • It is synonymous with “Native American” (Bureau of Indian Affairs Editorial Guide).

Difference between American Indian and Alaska Native

The terms denote the cultural distinction between the Indigenous peoples of the continental United States and those of Alaska (Native American Rights Fund). Both groups share a legal relationship with the federal government through tribal sovereignty.

Federal recognition and tribal affiliation

Not all Indigenous people are members of federally recognized tribes; this distinction affects rights to services, land, and self-governance (U.S. Department of Justice). There are 574 federally recognized tribes as of 2024 (Bureau of Indian Affairs).

The catch

Tribes that lack federal recognition — such as the Lumbee of North Carolina — have no legal standing to receive federal housing, health, or education funds, even if they maintain strong cultural continuity.

Why this matters: The legal definition shapes access to everything from healthcare to education, making federal recognition a crucial factor for many communities.

What are Native Americans called in the USA?

Both “Native American” and “American Indian” are used, and acceptance varies by region and generation. The Bureau of Indian Affairs recommends using “American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN)” on first reference and “AI/AN” thereafter (Bureau of Indian Affairs Editorial Guide). Many individuals prefer their specific tribal name, such as Navajo, Cherokee, or Yupik (Native American Rights Fund).

Preferred terms: Native American, American Indian, Indigenous

  • “Native American” came into use in the 1960s and includes Indigenous peoples of the US and its territories, including Native Hawaiians (Native American Rights Fund).
  • “American Indian” remains a legal term used in federal laws and treaties.
  • “Indigenous” is gaining acceptance, especially in academic and international contexts (Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian).

Why some prefer ‘American Indian’ or ‘Native’

Some tribes use “Indian” in their official names (e.g., Indian Pueblo), and many older generations prefer it (Native American Rights Fund). The term “Native” is informal but widely used in everyday conversation.

The pattern: Terminology is personal and political. The safest approach is to ask an individual or tribe how they identify, and when in doubt, use “American Indian and Alaska Native” — the government’s standard.

Why are Native Americans called Indians?

The term originated from Christopher Columbus, who mistakenly believed he had reached the Indies (Asia) when he arrived in the Americas in 1492 (Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian). Despite the navigational error, the label stuck.

Columbus’s mistaken geography

Columbus never set foot on the mainland of what is now the United States, but his error shaped European terminology for the entire hemisphere. Spanish and later English colonizers used “Indians” to refer to all Indigenous peoples of the Americas.

Historical usage and persistence

Despite centuries of correction, “American Indian” remains a legal and official term in US law, including the Indian Citizenship Act of 1924 and the Indian Self-Determination Act of 1975 (Native American Rights Fund). Many tribes themselves use “Indian” in their official names.

“The word ‘Indian’ is a misnomer that we still use today. It’s part of our legal vocabulary and our identity for many tribal nations.”

— Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian, “Do All Indians Live in Tipis?”

The trade-off: Some Native people reject “Indian” as a colonial remnant, while others embrace it as a term of legal and cultural identity. Both positions are valid within the community.

Are Native American US citizens?

Yes, since 1924. The Indian Citizenship Act conferred US citizenship on all Native Americans born within the United States (Native American Rights Fund). Before that, only some Native people were citizens through treaties or military service.

Indian Citizenship Act of 1924

  • Since 1924, every Tribal citizen born within the boundaries of the United States is a US citizen (Native American Rights Fund).
  • American Indians and Alaska Natives are citizens of the United States and of the states in which they reside (U.S. Department of Justice).

Dual citizenship: US and tribal nation

Tribal citizenship is separate from US citizenship. Most enrolled tribal members are dual citizens of both the United States and their sovereign tribal nation (Native American Rights Fund). This dual status is similar to being a citizen of a state and the US — but tribal sovereignty adds layers of governance and legal jurisdiction.

Why this matters

Tribal citizens pay federal income taxes, vote in all elections, and can hold public office — just like any other American. But they also have rights and obligations under tribal law, including voting in tribal elections and serving on tribal councils.

What this means: Being a Native American means living under two legal systems — tribal and federal — with the protections and responsibilities of each.

Do Native Americans still live in America?

Absolutely. Native Americans live throughout the United States, with large populations in California, Oklahoma, and Arizona (U.S. Census Bureau). About 80% live off-reservation, many in urban areas. The 2020 Census counted 3.7 million people identifying as American Indian and Alaska Native alone, and over 5 million when including multiracial individuals.

Contemporary population distribution

  • California has the largest AIAN population (over 630,000 alone or in combination).
  • Oklahoma and Arizona follow, with large tribal land bases and urban communities.
  • The Navajo Nation, spanning Arizona, Utah, and New Mexico, is the largest reservation by land area.

Life on reservations vs. urban areas

Reservation life varies widely. Some reservations like those of the Navajo and Cherokee retain strong cultural practices, with tribal governments providing many services. Others face high poverty rates, limited healthcare access, and language loss (Native American Rights Fund). Urban Native communities — often called “Urban Indian” populations — have grown rapidly since the 1950s relocation programs.

“Many people think Native Americans live only on reservations or in the past. Today, the largest Native American communities are in cities like Los Angeles, New York, and Phoenix, where they maintain their cultures while navigating modern urban life.”

— Native American Rights Fund (NARF), FAQ About Native American People

The pattern: The Native American population is dynamic and diverse — from rural reservation communities to thriving urban centers — and continues to shape American society.

Timeline: Key events in Native American history

  • 1492 – Columbus arrives in the Americas, coins the term “Indians” (Smithsonian NMAI)
  • 1830 – Indian Removal Act forces relocation of many tribes (Trail of Tears)
  • 1887 – Dawes Act breaks up tribal landholdings
  • 1924 – Indian Citizenship Act grants US citizenship to all Native Americans (Native American Rights Fund)
  • 1975 – Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act increases tribal autonomy
  • 1990 – Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA)
  • 2020 – Census reports 3.7 million AIAN alone; Deb Haaland appointed Secretary of the Interior (U.S. Census Bureau)

These events mark critical points in the ongoing story of Native American sovereignty and rights.

Clarity: What’s confirmed and what’s still uncertain

Confirmed facts

  • Native Americans were granted US citizenship in 1924.
  • There are 574 federally recognized tribes in the US.
  • The term “Indian” originated from Columbus’s navigational error.

What’s unclear

  • The exact number of Indigenous languages still spoken daily varies.
  • Blood quantum requirements differ by tribe and are sometimes contested.
  • The future impact of federal recognition on newer tribes is uncertain.
  • DNA studies show closest genetic link to ancient Siberian populations (no sourced citation available).

These distinctions shape policy debates and community priorities.

Quotes from authoritative sources

“Tribal sovereignty is the right and responsibility of Tribal Nations to govern themselves, their lands, and their people.”

— Native American Rights Fund (NARF), FAQ About Native American People

“The Bureau of Indian Affairs editorial guide says most tribal nations prefer the term ‘American Indian and Alaska Native.'”

— Bureau of Indian Affairs Editorial Guide

“No single federal or tribal criterion establishes a person’s identity as an Indian.”

— U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Tribal Justice

The forward stake: For Native communities today, the biggest challenge is not vanishing — it’s maintaining sovereignty and cultural continuity while navigating a system built by outsiders. The choice for policymakers and the public is clear: respect tribal self-determination, or perpetuate the cycles of misrecognition and marginalization that have defined centuries of interaction.

Additional sources

citizenshipandsocialjustice.com, youtube.com, americanindian.si.edu, nativegov.org, libguides.pratt.edu

For a deeper look at how Indigenous actors have portrayed Native American characters on screen, explore Graham Greenes Native American roles.

Frequently asked questions

Do Native Americans pay federal income tax?

Yes. As citizens of the United States, Native Americans pay federal income taxes just like all other citizens. However, income earned from trust lands or tribal enterprises may be exempt from certain state or local taxes depending on the location and the tribe’s sovereign status.

What is the difference between a tribe and a reservation?

A tribe is a sovereign nation with its own government and citizenship. A reservation is a land base that the United States holds in trust for a tribe. Not all tribes have reservations; some have no land base at all.

Can anyone join a Native American tribe?

Each tribe sets its own membership criteria. Many require a certain blood quantum or lineal descent. Some tribes allow adoption of non-Native individuals through formal processes, but this is rare.

How many Native American languages are still spoken?

Approximately 175 Indigenous languages are still spoken today in the United States, though many are endangered. Only a handful have more than 10,000 fluent speakers.

What does ‘blood quantum’ mean?

Blood quantum is a measure of ancestry used by some tribes to determine membership. It is often expressed as a fraction (e.g., 1/4 Cherokee blood). The practice is controversial because it was imposed by the US government historically, and many tribes now rely on lineal descent instead.

Are Native Americans considered sovereign nations?

Yes. The US Constitution and hundreds of treaties recognize tribes as sovereign nations with the right to govern themselves, tax their members, and maintain legal systems. This sovereignty is limited but real.

What is the ’49’ in Native American culture?

A ’49’ is a social gathering after a powwow, often involving singing, drumming, and dancing. The name is believed to originate from the year 1949 when such gatherings gained popularity. It is a time for young people to socialize and celebrate Native identity.

These questions highlight common misconceptions and the complexity of Native American identity.

Related reading

For deeper context, explore the intersection of race and policy in Critical Race Theory: Definition, Examples, and Controversies (legal frameworks that affect tribal sovereignty). Also see Robert F. Kennedy Jr: Health, Family, Career Facts for background on his involvement in Native American fishing rights advocacy.