Native Mascots, Myths, and Misrepresentation
Battling Indigenous Stereotypes
by Cayla Bellanger Degroat
Part of the Native Rights series
Representation takes many forms, from who is elected or appointed to positions in government to the characters and images used in movies, books, and sport teams. However, not all representation is the same. Negative stereotypes and language affect how we
Indigenous Cultures Today
Protecting Native Families and Practicing Cultural Traditions
by Cayla Bellanger Degroat
Part of the Native Rights series
On June 15, 2023, Native American Nations celebrated a victory. The Supreme Court of the United States decided to uphold the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA), first passed in 1978. The act helps stop children from being taken from their homes. The US gover
Native Voting Rights and Sovereignty
Recognizing Indigenous Voices in Government
by Cayla Bellanger Degroat
Part of the Native Rights series
There are 574 federally recognized nations with tribal sovereignty in the United States. Tribal sovereignty means that these nations must be honored as distinct political entities and treated as nations. In addition to the rights granted to them by those
Indigenous Environmentalism
Honoring Our Relationships and Responsibilities with Nature
Part of the Native Rights series
For thousands of years, Native American peoples have had a deep connection to the land they live on. From cultural burning—setting small controlled fires to improve a habitat—to only taking what was needed, Indigenous peoples protected and respected the l
Native Lands and Sacred Places
Reclaiming and Protecting Native Lands
by Cayla Bellanger Degroat
Part of the Native Rights series
For Native nations and peoples, land is sacred. It is a valued and respected part of their spiritual and religious beliefs. Some locations hold even more meaning such as burial sites, places for ceremonies, and areas where medicines grow. When Europeans b
Indigenous Language Revitalization
From Boarding Schools and Code Talkers to Immersion Learning
Part of the Native Rights series
Indigenous languages have a mixed history in the United States. Many Native languages have become endangered. In the 1800s, the US government began forcing Native children to attend federal Indian boarding schools. There, children were punished for speaki
Native Hunting and Fishing
Practicing Traditions and Defending Treaty Rights
Part of the Native Rights series
Indigenous Nations historically provided for their families and their communities by hunting, fishing, farming, and gathering. In the 19th century, the US government often forced Native Americans to sign treaties that ceded lands while protecting Indigeno
Water Is Life
The Ongoing Fight for Indigenous Water Rights
Part of the Native Rights series
For many Indigenous peoples, water is sacred. Indigenous peoples have lived by important water sources throughout their histories. But in the 1800s, treaties with the US government and people settling in the West forced many Indigenous peoples to leave th
