INDIGENOUS SOVEREIGNTY
Understanding and Advocacy
Indigenous Sovereignty refers to the inherent right of Native American, American Indian, and Alaska Native communities to govern themselves and manage their lands, resources, and cultural heritage. This concept is fundamental to the understanding and respect of Indigenous peoples' unique position in the history and contemporary society of the United States.
Approximately 476.6 million Indigenous people live across the world. Of these, more than 11.3 million are Indigenous to the present-day United States—a portion of the larger Turtle Island, land which has been known since colonization in the late 1400s as North and Central America. These Indigenous people from the present-day United States include 9.7 million people who identify as American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) and 1.6 million who identify as Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (NHPI). Within the AIAN population, an estimated 92,000 people further identify as Taíno descendants from Puerto Rico. An additional 135,564 people identify as NHPI from the United States territories of Guam, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands. Indigenous Peoples in the United States existed prior to colonization and today are comprised of 574 federally recognized Tribal Nations, additional state-recognized Nations, and Nations who either lost federal recognition or have never been granted state or federal recognition and remain unrecognized.
Indigenous Sovereignty or Tribal Sovereignty?
What’s the Difference?
Indigenous Sovereignty broadly encompasses the rights of Indigenous Peoples worldwide to self-determination and to govern their own affairs. This term can apply globally, encompassing not only Native American, American Indian, and Alaska Native communities but also other Indigenous groups around the world.
Tribal Sovereignty, on the other hand, often specifically refers to the rights of Indigenous tribes within the United States and their territories to govern themselves, manage their internal affairs, and exercise certain legal rights and cultural practices. This term is more specific to the context of federally recognized tribes in the U.S. and their legal relationship with the federal government.
LGBTQIA2S+ Rights
Sovereignty is a cornerstone of our identity. For generations, we have fought for our rights to sacred land, clean water, self-governance, and the celebration of our cultures.
LGBTQIA2S+ rights are woven into our Indigenous ways of life. 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
Many Indigenous cultures have long acknowledged and valued gender and sexual diversity. Colonization, however, imposed harmful binaries and biases, which continue to affect our two-spirit and LGBTQIA+ relatives. Attacks on these individuals are attacks on our sovereignty and cultures.
Urban Native Collective stands proudly with our LGBTQIA2S+ relatives every day. Find resources from our friends.
Standing in Solidarity
We stand in solidarity with other Indigenous Peoples under attack, such as:
The Wet'suwet'en in Canada: Defending their land against pipeline construction.
The Mapuche in Chile and Argentina: Fighting for land rights and cultural recognition.
The Yanomami in Brazil: Protecting their territory from illegal mining and deforestation.
The Sami in Northern Europe: Advocating for reindeer herding rights and cultural preservation.
The Standing Rock: Resisting continued oil pipeline projects threatening their water and sacred sites.
Palestinians in Gaza: Struggling for their rights amidst ongoing occupation and war.
Māori in New Zealand: Protecting their rights, lands, and waters from various forms of exploitation and advocating for cultural preservation and self-determination.
Indigenous Peoples fighting against Line 3: Opposing the pipeline project that threatens their land and water.
UNC assert our collective Indigenous rights to sovereignty, cultural integrity, and environmental protection.
Historical Context
The Roots of Sovereignty: Indigenous Sovereignty is deeply rooted in the historical and pre-colonial governance systems of Indigenous Peoples. Despite the significant changes brought about by colonization, these nations have continually fought for and maintained aspects of their sovereign rights.
Treaties and Agreements: A crucial aspect of understanding Indigenous Sovereignty involves the treaties and agreements made between Indigenous nations and the U.S. government. These legal documents, often overlooked or misunderstood, are central to comprehending the complex relationship between these nations and the federal government.
Understanding the Three Sovereigns: A Foundation of United States Governance
The United States Constitution establishes a complex yet coherent framework of governance built upon the principle of shared sovereignty. This structure delineates the powers and responsibilities among three distinct sovereign entities: the federal government, state governments, and Tribal nations. Each possesses inherent authority, operates with autonomy, and plays a critical role in the nation's collective governance, embodying a multifaceted approach to democracy and self-determination.
Tribal Nations: The Bearers of Indigenous Sovereignty
Distinctly, Tribal nations are recognized as sovereign entities, a status rooted in their pre-existing sovereignty prior to the formation of the United States. This recognition, upheld by treaties, federal laws, and judicial decisions, acknowledges Tribal nations as self-governing communities with the authority to regulate their internal affairs, maintain cultural and social practices, and engage with federal and state governments as distinct political entities. This tripartite relationship underscores the United States' commitment to honor the sovereignty and rights of Indigenous peoples, reflecting a deep respect for their history, culture, and contributions to the nation's fabric.
Contemporary Challenges
Today, Indigenous Sovereignty faces various challenges, including legal battles over land rights, cultural preservation, and resource management. These issues often arise from the continuation of the colonial project and the attempt to remove and dismantle Indigenous communities using the tools of federal or state policies.
The historical backdrop of Ohio is characterized by the Removal Era, a dark period when Indigenous Peoples were forcibly relocated westward to make way for settlers. This removal not only stripped our communities of our rightful ancestral lands but also fragmented our social structures, cultural practices, and governance systems. In Cincinnati, as in much of Ohio, the effects of removal resonate to this day, manifesting in challenges related to land rights, cultural heritage preservation, and the recognition of Tribal Nations' sovereignty. The city, like many others, was built upon lands that were once home to our vibrant Indigenous communities, including the Shawnee, Miamian, Chippewa, Lakota, and many other Tribal Nations, whose presence and rights were systematically erased over time.
Contemporary challenges in Ohio reflect the broader struggle for Indigenous Sovereignty and the assertion of Tribal Nations' rights within a framework that has historically marginalized these voices. Indigenous Peoples in Ohio today face obstacles in protecting and reclaiming cultural heritage, ensuring the education system accurately represents Indigenous history and perspectives, and securing meaningful consultation on issues affecting our communities. The legacy of removal has also complicated efforts to reestablish connections with our ancestral lands, foods, and medicines, as many Indigenous Peoples in Ohio seek to affirm our sovereignty in a landscape profoundly altered by historical injustices.
Moreover, the story of Indigenous Peoples in Cincinnati highlights the need for public recognition and commemoration of the many beautiful contributions of Tribal Nations to the region. Efforts to acknowledge this history, including the establishment of educational programs, are essential steps toward addressing the historical erasure and fostering a deeper understanding of the significance of Indigenous Sovereignty and Tribal Nations Sovereignty.
In confronting these challenges, it is crucial for policymakers, educators, and community leaders to engage with our local Indigenous Peoples in a spirit of respect, collaboration, and acknowledgment of past wrongs. Building a future that honors the sovereignty of Tribal Nations and the rights of Indigenous Peoples in Ohio and beyond requires a commitment to justice, equity, and the healing of historical wounds.
Advocacy and Empowerment: Addressing these challenges requires concerted efforts from Tribal Nations, allies, urban Native Peoples, and even policymakers. Advocacy is an essential tool in safeguarding Tribal sovereignty and promoting the rights and welfare of Indigenous communities. The Urban Native Collective is committed to raising awareness of these issues, supporting Indigenous leadership, and fostering collaboration to overcome the obstacles facing Tribal Nations and their authority over the lands in Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana- where we serve the People.
By understanding the contemporary challenges to Tribal Nation Sovereignty, we can better advocate for policies and practices that respect and reinforce the autonomy of Tribal Nations, contributing to a just and equitable future for all Indigenous Peoples.
Urban Native Collective Statement of Advocacy
The Urban Native Collective is committed to upholding Indigenous sovereignty and stands in solidarity with Indigenous Peoples who assert their inherent rights. We firmly oppose military and police violence, as well as resource development projects that encroach upon Indigenous spaces. Recognizing Indigenous Peoples as the original stewards of our lands, we declare any violation of their rights or dignity utterly unacceptable. Any encroachment on Indigenous Lands is an affront to Indigenous People and their sovereignty.
In solidarity with Indigenous peoples, we firmly hold:
Immediate Cessation of Harmful Developments: All construction of resource development projects that threaten Indigenous sovereignty must be stopped immediately. Furthermore, all operations and services linked to these projects should be dismantled.
Right to Consent: Indigenous Peoples must be granted the right to free, prior, and informed consent regarding projects that affect their lands and lives. This right must be upheld and respected by all neighboring political states.
Respect for Sovereignty and Non-violence: We demand that all levels of government, including police and military forces, as well as private industry, respect Indigenous sovereignty and jurisdiction. These entities must refrain from employing force to enter Indigenous lands or displace Indigenous peoples.
Global Solidarity: We extend our support and stand in solidarity with all Indigenous and oppressed peoples around the world who are fighting for their sovereignty, human rights, and freedom from oppression. Our commitment to non-violence and self-determination transcends borders and unites us in the common cause of justice and respect for Indigeneity.
Through these principles, the Urban Native Collective aims to foster a more just and respectful interaction between Indigenous communities and the societies that surround them.
Resources
A significant part of supporting Indigenous Sovereignty involves learning and educating yourself on issues impacting Indigenous communities.
Interactive Map
This Interactive Map Shows Which Indigenous Lands You Live On
In addition to the map, the website includes a teacher’s guide to creating a lesson about Indigenous land, as well as geotagged lists of Native languages and treaties. Users can click on a language to see where it’s spoken, or on a treaty to examine the area involved in a particular “Indian Land Cession.” Cessions, or treaties, occurred when colonial settlers like the United States or Britain successfully offered money or goods to Native peoples in exchange for their territory. The practice, peacefully exploitative in the early colonization of North America, turned violent by the turn of the 19th century, when colonists began more violent campaigns to force Indigenous people from their ancestral land.
To encourage recognition of that long history of displacement, Native Land Digital also provides a guide to territory acknowledgements.
“Territory acknowledgement is a way that people insert an awareness of Indigenous presence and land rights in everyday life,” writes the nonprofit. “This is often done at the beginning of ceremonies, lectures or any public event. It can be a subtle way to recognize the history of colonialism and a need for change in settler colonial societies.”
Still, territory acknowledgements are complex; sometimes they “can easily be a token gesture rather than a meaningful practice,” they continue. The website presents a number of questions for reflection and suggests reaching out to nearby Indigenous communities directly.
2. Guide to Tribal Sovereignty Laws:
A comprehensive guide explaining the legal aspects of Tribal Sovereignty, including key legislation and landmark court cases here in the US.
The following resources link to research guides created by law libraries on the topic of federal American Indian law.
(Harvard Law School Library)
American Indian Law Research Guide
(University of Minnesota Law School)
(Gallagher Law Library, University of Washington)
(Native American Rights Fund)
Native American Law Research - Getting Started
(University Libraries, University of Oklahoma)
Native American Law Research Guide
(Georgetown Law Library)
(National Conference of State Legislatures)
(Tribal Court Clearinghouse)
(National Conference of State Legislatures)