American Indian anthropology in this country is a vast, complex and diverse subject. It would take a lifetime of study to understand Indians’ true place in history. The goal of the American Indian Facts of Life Handbook and this Study Guide is to present enough information, direction and reference to motivate you to do further study and research in your area of interest.
When you can answer most of the 38 questions in this Study Guide, you will know more about today’s American Indians than 99.9% of the general public, including Indians.
This Study Guide format is fill-in blanks with essay questions that may be answered on a separate sheet of paper. All answers to all questions are found in the “American Indian Facts of Life” handbook.
The United States government’s definition of a legal Indian :
"Any person who has the certifiable Indian blood quantum to meet the enrollment requirements of a federally-recognized tribe."
1. Census 2000 enumerates the Indian population at ________ million.
2. Of that population, approximately ________ million are tribally enrolled.
3. There are approximately ________ million people in the United States who have a discernible degree of Indian blood.
4. The total Indian population is less than ________ % of the total United States population.
5. Approximately ________ % of the Indian population live on reservations.
6. Approximately ________ % of the Indian population are Urban Indians.
7. Do you think the Urban Indian population will increase or decrease by 2050? (Explain your answer on a separate sheet of paper.)
8. Do you think the reservation Indian population will increase or decrease by 2050? (Explain your answer on a separate sheet of paper.)
9. Do you think the enrolled Indian population will increase or decrease by 2050? (Explain your answer on a separate sheet of paper.)
The US government’s definition for a federally-recognized tribe:
"Any Indian tribe, band, nation, rancheria, pueblo, colony or community which is recognized by the United States government as eligible for the special programs and services provided by the Secretary of the Interior to Indians because of their status as Indians."
1. There are ________ federally-recognized tribes in the United States.
2. There are approximately ________ state-recognized tribes.
3. Approximately ________ tribes are petitioning for federal recognition.
4. Each tribe has the right to determine the requirements for tribal ________________ .
5. Certifiable _____________ _____________ is a basic requirement for tribal enrollment.
6. The ________________ Nation of Oklahoma has the most enrolled members.
7. Approximately ________ % of Indians live on reservations.
8. Approximately ________ % of Indians live off reservation.
9. In your opinion, what is the future of Indian tribes as blood quantum is diluted through the natural process of inter-tribal and inter-racial assimilation? (Explain your answer on a separate sheet of paper.)
10. How could these tribes network politically and economically to achieve common goals? (Explain your answer on a separate sheet of paper.)
A federally-recognized Indian reservation is:
"An area of land held in trust by the federal government reserved for Indian use."
1. There are ________ federally-recognized reservations in the United States.
2. These federally-recognized reservations are considered _______________ nations.
3. These reservations occupy approximately ________ million acres.
4. Approximately ________ % are reservation trust lands.
5. Approximately ________ % are allotted lands.
6. The Department of ________________ is the trustee of the US government.
7. The Bureau of ________________ ________________ is responsible for the administration and management of the trust responsibilities.
8. The state of ________________ has the greatest number of reservations.
9. The state of ________________ has the largest reservation.
10. Approximately ________ % of the Indians live on reservations.
11. What is your understanding of Indian reservations as sovereign nations? (Explain your answer on a separate sheet of paper.)
1. Indians were categorically granted US citizenship in (year) ________ .
2. Indians granted the right to vote in Arizona in (year) ________ .
3. Indians granted the right to vote in New Mexico in (year) ________ .
4. The United States is divided into a total of ________ BIA Regional Offices.
5. From 1778 to 1871, there were ________ treaties negotiated with Indian tribes.
6. Approximately ________ tribes were relocated to Oklahoma Indian Territory during the 1800s.
7. The government spends $ ________ billion annually on Indian programs.
8. In your opinion, have Indians been socially and/or economically disadvantaged? (Explain your answer on a separate sheet of paper.)