Native American
Native Americans, also referred to as Indian Americans, are the original settlers of the United States. There are 566 federally recognized Indian nations with almost a third of them located in Alaska. This includes over 4.1 million American Indians or Alaskan Natives with each tribe distinct in ethnicity, language, and culture. 老司机传媒 has had only a small population of Native American students over the past five years, from 14 – 10 students each year.
Native American groups have inhabited the territory of New Mexico for thousands of years, many centuries before Europeans reached the Americas. Reminders of their ancient presence are throughout the state: cliff dwellings and pit houses, kivas (underground ceremonial chambers), abandoned cities along ancient trade routes, and symbols etched in rock. New Mexico is home to 22 tribes, which includes the Navajo Nation, Jicarilla Apache, Mescalero Apache, and 19 pueblos.
The Navajo Nation is the largest American Indian tribe in North America and their reservation is located in northwest New Mexico, northern Arizona and southeast Utah. The Jicarilla Apaches live in northern New Mexico and the Mescalero Apaches reside in southern New Mexico. A majority of the 19 pueblos are located in northern New Mexico. Each tribe is unique and they have their own traditional language, customs, values, prayers, songs, ceremonies, traditional attire, and way of life.
Click here for a brief history of Native Americans in the United States.
Legal Issues
Unfortunately, Native Americans have been subject to a vast array of both legal and physical maltreatment via the U.S. government. Through determination, a growing understanding of various cultures, and an insistence on being recognized and supported, Native Americans have firmly established themselves as a legitimate ethnic/racial category and one that should be respected and treated like any other.
- Provides legal representation for Native Americans nationwide.
- Lists and links to tribal police departments nationwide.
- Initiatives to enhance public safety.
Office of Justice Services-
- Advocates for legal rights of those with disabilities (specifically Native Americans)
- Advances comprehensive educational opportunities through advocacy, research, and capacity-building.
- Seeks to represent Native Americans on a national level and serves as a resource.
- Administers educational programs, social services, natural resources management, economic development, law enforcement and detention services, housing improvement and more.
Financial
- Provides access for small businesses to tools such as entrepreneurial development, lending and procurement programs.
- Funding opportunities and grants for renewable energy and energy efficiency projects on tribal lands.
- Provides federal aid to develop viable communities by improving housing stock, providing community facilities, making infrastructure improvements, funding microenterprises, and expanding job opportunities.
- Represents tribal governments and focusing attention on health care needs.
- Also monitors federal law in regards to health care.
- Portal to issues regarding health care.
- Information for both consumers and community representatives on issues affecting health care.
Content provided in part by Maria Lombart, Dr. Erich Baumgartner’s Fall 2013 Diversity, Leadership & Culture class (LEAD 689/789).
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Additional Resources:
Information on National and Regional Scholarships available to Native students throughout the U.S.
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