NamePopulation

Navajo 308,013 Cherokee 285,476 Sioux 131,048 Chippewa

115,859 Choctaw 88,913 Apache 64,869 Pueblo 59,337 Iroquois
48,365 Creek 44,085 Blackfeet 23,583

Native American Culture

Perhaps no other group of people has quite the rich and storied culture as those of
the Native Americans. They have a history rich in struggle, strife, and triumph. So
many aspects of our modern life were adapted from the old Indian cultures
practiced centuries ago. Many familiar symbols that we take for granted were
originated by Native Americans.

The teepee, totem pole, peace pipe, and moccasins are just a few examples, but
each of these symbols were actually integral pieces of a larger picture that wove
together the tapestry of Native American life. Everything from native plants and
animals to housing to the weather became a part of the culture in Indian life. The
animals were revered as spirits, and although they were hunted and killed, their
skins and hides were used as clothing and drums, their meat was never wasted,
and their spirits lived on in the mind of the tribes. Plants were cultivated and
harvested, and used for various things such as dyes for blankets. The rain and sun
were considered to be Gods, giving a sign to the Indians as the seasons changed.

Totem poles were a very integral part of Native American culture. The Indians
believed that each person was assigned the spirit of a particular animal, and that
their spirit was absorbed into this animal in death. The totem pole was a large, tall
wooden carving of various animals, each representing a family member of a loved
one who had passed away. Many people see dream catchers hanging from
peoples car rearview mirrors, but few know their significance. The dream catcher
is based on a legend told by the Lakota tribe. It symbolizes holding onto good
things in life, while the holes in the catcher are there to filter out bad thoughts
and feelings. Smoke signals are another interesting aspect of Native American
culture. They were used to communicate to others over a long distance and are
yet another symbol of the proud heritage of the Native American.

In the United States, an Indian tribe, Native American tribe, tribal nation or similar
concept is any extant or historical clan, tribe, band, nation, or other group or
community of Indigenous peoples in the United States. Modern forms of these
entities are often associated with land or territory of an Indian reservation.
"Federally recognized Indian tribe" is a legal term of art in United States law with a
specific meaning.

TRIBES

An Indian tribe recognized by the United States government usually possesses

tribal sovereignty, a "dependent sovereign nation" status with the Federal
Government that is similar to that of a state in some situations, and that of a
nation in others. Depending on the historic circumstances of recognition, the
degree of self-government and sovereignty varies somewhat from one tribal
nation to another.

Legal definition in the United States

The term is defined in the United States for some federal government purposes to
include only tribes that are federally recognized by the Bureau of Indian Affairs
(BIA), established pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act [43 U.S.C.
1601 et seq.]. Such tribes, including Alaska Native village or regional or village
corporations recognized as such, are known as "federally recognized tribes" and
are eligible for special programs and services provided by the United States. The
BIA, part of the US Department of the Interior, issues Certificate of Degree of
Indian Blood, which tribes use as a basis for tribal enrollment.

Some tribes, such as the Little Shell Chippewa, do not have federal recognition,
but are recognized at the state level using procedures defined by various states,
without regard to federal recognition. Other tribes are unrecognized because they
no longer exist as an organized group or because they have not completed the
certification process established by the government entities in question.

Some federally recognized tribes are confederacies of more than one tribe.
Historically, the State of California formed rancherias and Nevada formed Indian
Colonies. Multi-ethnic entities were formed by the U.S. federal government or by
treaty with the U.S. government for the purpose of being assigned to reservations.
For example, 19 tribes that existed in 1872 combined at that time to form the
Colville Confederated Tribes, which is now the single federally recognized tribe,
Colville Indian Reservation in Washington state.