FDLP Resource Guides: Then and Now Experiences of American Indians and Alaska Natives: Contemporary Topics

Overview

AIAN face many issues that impact their livelihood and civil rights in today's society. Learn about some of these issues and U.S. Government resources that provide additional information.

Crimes (Domestic Violence and Hate Crimes)

Overview
Information

According to the Centers of Disease Control's WISQARS, homicide was among the ten leading causes of death for AIAN females between 2018 and 2022:

Third for ages 1-4
Second for ages 5-9
Fourth for ages 10-14
Third for ages 15-24
Seventh for ages 25-34
Eighth for ages 35-44

The NVDRS Violent Deaths Report shows that the homicide rate for AIAN females of all ages between 2017 and 2021 was approximately 3.69%, higher than the national average for all females (2.37%).

Click on the "Information" tab in this box to learn about topics related to domestic violence and hate crimes.

	Bureau of Indian Affairs (U.S. Department of the Interior) Missing and Murdered Indigenous People Crisis Find information on cases and investigative resources.
	Indian Health Service (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services) Intimate Partner Violence Prevention View IHS' resources for all forms of intimate partner violence.
	National Institute of Justice (U.S. Department of Justice) Read reports and articles related to AIAN crime and justice. Five Things About Violence Against American Indian And Alaska Native Women and Men Tribal Crime and Justice Violence Against American Indian and Alaska Native Women and Men
	Office on Violence Against Women (U.S. Department of Justice) See resources from this office, which "provides federal leadership in developing the national capacity to reduce violence against women and administer justice for and strengthen services to victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking." Main website Tribal Affairs Tribal Governments Program
	Office on Women's Health (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services) Domestic or Intimate Partner Violence Learn about the spectrum of intimate partner violence, its effects, and legal steps to get protection (also available in Español)
	U.S. Department of Justice Federal Bureau of Investigation: Crime Data Explorer Explore interactive data to view hate crime information.

The National Center for Education Statistics shows data on those not enrolled in school or did not earn a high-school credential, having the following dropout rates for 16- to 24-year-olds in 2022:

Asian (1.9%)
White (4.3%)
Two or more races (4.5%)
Black (5.7%)
Hispanic (7.9%)
Pacific Islander (9.1%)
American Indian/Alaska Native (9.9%)

Click on the "Information" tab in this box to learn about topics related to education.

	Bureau of Indian Education (U.S. Department of the Interior) Explore this agency's resources, which focus on providing "students at BIE-funded schools with a culturally relevant, high-quality education." Main website About Grants Early Childhood Education Tribally Controlled Schools
	National Center for Education Statistics (U.S. Department of Education) National Indian Education Study Check out data and analysis about the "condition of education for American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) students in the United States."
	Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (U.S. Department of Education) Demonstration Grants for Indian Children (DEMO) Apply for grants that support "projects to develop, test, and demonstrate the effectiveness of services and programs to improve educational opportunities and achievement of Indian children in preschool, elementary, and secondary school."
	Office of Indian Education (U.S. Department of Education) Main website Learn about this office's mission to provide "leadership for ED-wide policy coordination in Indian education."
	U.S. Department of the Interior Federal Indian Boarding School Initiative Read about the Initiative to illuminate the tragedies and traumas of the past and their continuing impact on AIAN people and culture.

Health

Overview
Information

Although life expectancy rates have increased for AIAN from 2021 to 2022, overall AIAN have the lowest life expectancies (64.6 years for males, 71.3 years for females) among all groups living in the United States.

Click on the "Information" tab in this box to learn about topics related to health.

^Vital Statistics Rapid Release No 31 (National Center for Health Statistics 2023)

	Indian Health Service (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services) Find resources from this office, whose mission is to "raise the physical, mental, social, and spiritual health of American Indians and Alaska Natives to the highest level." Below are some of the featured websites: Main website Community Health Find Health Care For Patients Health and Wellness Programs HIV in Indian Country Two-Spirit
	Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services) MyHealthfinder.gov Discover health information, including health conditions, doctor visits, healthy living, and more (also available in Español).
	Office of Minority Health (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services) View mental health statistical data for AIAN populations. American Indian Alaska Native Health Mental and Behavioral Health - American Indians/Alaska Natives
	Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration - HHS Tribal Training and Technical Assistance Center Explore SAMHSA's resources for tribal communities.

Land Management and Sovereignty Rights

Overview
Information

Established 200 years ago, the mission of the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) is to "carry out the federal responsibilities entrusted to us to protect and improve the trust assets of American Indians and Alaska Natives."

Click on the "Information" tab in this box to learn about the BIA and other Federal agencies that work with AIAN concerning tribal government relationships, including topics on land management and sovereignty rights.

	Bureau of Indian Affairs (U.S. Department of the Interior) Explore this agency's regional offices and services regarding tribal sovereignty. BIA Regional Offices Does the United States Still Make Treaties with Indian Tribes? Division of Self-Determination Services Division of Tribal Government Services
	Bureau of Land Management (U.S. Department of the Interior) Tribal Consultation Learn about the Bureau of Land Management and its role working with AIAN communities.
	Library of Congress Read an overview about the history of treaties between the United States and AIAN. American Indian Law: A Beginner's Guide: Introduction American Indian Law: A Beginner's Guide: Treaties
	National Museum of the American Indian (Smithsonian) Treaties Still Matter: The Dakota Access Pipeline Review a summary of the project and its subsequent protests.
	National Park Service (U.S. Department of the Interior) Indigenous Fire Practices Shape our Land Discover how AIAN traditional practices are being incorporated into official land management guidance.
	U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Tribal Government Relations Check out information on government-to-government consultations in an "effort to effectively and respectively serve Veterans across Indian Country."
	U.S. Environmental Protection Agency See information on environmental programs and services for AIAN. Environmental Justice for Tribes and Indigenous Peoples Environmental Programs and Technical Assistance on Tribal Lands Environmental Protection in Indian Country Indian Environmental General Assistance Program (GAP) Indoor Air Quality Tribal Partners Program Tribal Air and Climate Resources Tribes and Water Quality Standards
	U.S. National Archives and Records Administration American Indian Treaties Dive into historical records, including how to view treaties.

Poverty

Overview
Information

The U.S. Census Bureau's report, Poverty in the United States: 2022, states that 25% of AIAN in 2022 live below the poverty line, which is higher than the national average of the total population (11.5%).

Click on the "Information" tab in this box to learn about topics related to poverty.

Bureau of Indian Affairs (U.S. Department of the Interior)

Division of Human Services

Learn about BIA’s Human Services office and its programs for AIAN communities.

Economic Research Service (U.S. Department of Agriculture)

Many American Indians and Alaska Natives are Concentrated in High Poverty Rural Areas

Check out a Census Bureau chart about poverty in AIAN areas from 2015 to 2019.

Screenshot of "Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)"

Food and Nutrition Service (U.S. Department of Agriculture)

Find a program or service for income-eligible households.

Screenshot of "Public and Indian Housing"

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

See information on "affordable housing and community development activities."

Screenshot of "Indian Tribes and resources for Native Americans"

USA.gov (U.S. General Services Administration)

Explore the many government assistance programs available to citizens, including for tribal communities.

Repatriation

Overview
Information

All Federal government agencies are required to repatriate any AIAN human remains and cultural items that they acquired. Two laws in particular concern AIAN repatriation: the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) and the National Museum of the American Indian Act (NMAIA).

Click on the "Information" tab in this box to learn about topics related to repatriation.

	Bureau of Indian Affairs (U.S. Department of the Interior) Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act Explore this agency's site on information regarding NAGPRA, including how to submit a repatriation request.
	Congressional Research Services Repatriation of Native American Remains and Cultural Items: Requirements for Agencies and Institutions Read this report from 2024 on Federal laws that commit all government entities to respectful repatriation of AIAN human remains and cultural items.
	National Museum of the American Indian Repatriation Learn about the Smithsonian Institution’s work to return AIAN human remains and cultural items.
	National Park Service Locate a Tribal Historic Preservation Office or resources on respectful repatriation. Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act Tribal Historic Preservation Office Program
	Office of International Affairs (U.S. Department of the Interior) International Repatriation of Native American Cultural Heritage Check out how this office works with international partners to bring home AIAN human remains and cultural items.
	U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) Efforts to Protect and Repatriate Native American Cultural Items and Human Remains Discover how GAO is cracking down on continuing threats to AIAN human remains and cultural items.