Frequently Asked Questions

What is the correct terminology: American Indian, Indian, Native American, or Native?

All of them are acceptable. Most Natives prefer to be called by the tribe they belong to--think Ojibwe, or Odawa, or Klamath.

Is it true that Indians do not like to have their photographs taken because they believe the camera might steal their spirit?

This is more an individual decision than a tribal one.

How many Indians lived in the Western Hemisphere when Columbus arrived?

The exact population is still unknown. It is estimated that over 90% of the Native population was lost in the first 130 years after contact with Europeans. This was caused by disease carried from the settlers that the Natives were never in contact with before, particularly smallpox.

What were some of the accomplishments of Native Americans at the time Europeans first arrived in the Western Hemisphere?

Native Americans established tradesmen, artists, hunters, populous cities, economic strategies, and agriculture. The Shoshone people sterilized their surgical places before Western doctors realized the spread of germs, and the Mayans performed brain surgery. More than 50% of prescription drugs today can be traced back to tradition Native American medicine. Extensive road networks can also be traced back to Natives. Extensive trade networks enabled high-value goods to move throughout the continent, and corn, the staple of many Native diets, began as a tropical grass in Mezoamerica and was bred to be the temperate-climate grain we know today.

What was the Iroquois Confederacy and how did it contribute to democracy?

The Iroquois Confederacy was a military and political alliance in the 1600s between the Haudenosaunee, Seneca, Mohawk, Coyuga, Onondaga, and Oneida. The Iroquois were historically rivals of the Ojibwe, expanding westward until they were defeated by the Ojibwe at what is today Iroquois Point in 1662. The Cherokee also had highly organized government structures. The more sparsely settled Anishinaabeg had a less formal structure of amicable relations under the banner of the "People of the Three Fires."

So what's this Anishinaabeg thing? Is it the same as Ojibwe?

No. Anishinaabeg refers to the "People of the Three Fires," the Ojibwe, Pottawatomie, and Odawa. What is more, the Ojibwe people are spread across such a large area that linguistically, at least, one distinguishes between eastern and western Ojibwe, the dividing line is roughly the Keewenaw Peninsula.

Is it true that Indians sold Manhattan for 24 bucks worth of bead and trinkets?

This is a misunderstanding. In 1626 a Dutch settler, Peter Minuit, "bought" Manhattan for sixty guilders worth of trade goods. (Remember: Native Americans didn't believe land could be bought and owned at this time. But they did give gifts for favors that were done for them.)

Did Europeans purposely use smallpox to kill Indians?

There isn't enough evidence to determine if it was on purpose. But some tribal histories have described how some Europeans waged war by accelerating the smallpox spread by giving blankets and food that was infected.

Why didn't Indian tribes band together to fight off Europeans?

The spread of disease made this impossible, with all of the death of Native Americans, to have enough warriors to fight. The differences between all of the tribes (governing, language, morals, etc.) would make working together difficult.

Did Native Americans own slaves?

The Five Civilized Tribes (Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Creek, and Seminole) did have African American slaves until the American Civil War. The Seminole did help to harbor runaway slaves and accepted them into their community later.

Are Native Americans United States Citizens?

A Native is a U.S. Citizen if they are born within the U.S. border. But Indians aren't just a U.S. citizen they are also tribal members that can give them reserved rights that other U.S. citizens don't have.

Why do some people think Indians do not laugh or smile?

Native life has always involved humor between families and offers a break in a time of stress and work. The settlers didn't believe that the Indians would be capable of "complex thought and emotions." An example of Native American humor would be The Trickster who appears in Native tales and legends. The Trickster is used as a "lesson bearer." Hollywood and old photographs made the portrayal of Natives never smiling. Photographs that were taken could have captured the Indian going through a traumatic experience (think about it...you don't speak English...and this guy is trying to tell you to stand still....and then BAM! flash of light...and you are blinding for a moment....scary huh?) Don't believe everything Hollywood puts on a movie.

Did Indians really use smoke signals? Do they today?

Yes, the Great Plains Indians used smoke signals for communication. The Navajo and Apache used smoke signals as a warning to approaching enemies. Today, this mean of communication has died out, current day Native Americans use the telephone, mail, and e-mail.

What do Indians do for Thanksgiving?

The first Thanksgiving took place for 3 days sometime between September 20 and November 9, 1621 between Plymouth Colony and 90 Natives of the Wampanoag Nation. In reality, this event was used to save the Plymouth Colony from starvation. "It is both ironic and tragic that the Wampanoag Nation in the coming years would suffer an almost complete decimation of their once-enormous numbers, power, and influence - at the hands of the same people whose survival they had helped ensure."

Do all Indians live in Tipis?

Just like everyone else these days, Natives live in contemporary homes. Traditional home for Indians depend on the region they live in, they vary from tipis to adobe hogans, wigwams, and igloos. The home would be made to best suit the environment the tribe lived in.

What kinds of food do Indians eat?

More than 50% of the crops today were grown by Native Americans years ago. Corn, beans, squashes, pumpkins, peppers, potatoes, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, peanuts, wild rice, chocolate, pineapple, avocado, papaya, pecans, strawberries, blueberries, cranberries, and sunflowers to name a few. Tribal members would also gather wild rice, hunt, and fish.

Before contact with Europeans, did Indians make all their clothing from animal skins?

No, some clothing was produced from cotton, yucca, and wool. American Indians began growing cotton after 1500 BC, and in AD 700 textile was found in New Mexico. These plant fibers would be used to make sandals, blankets, leggings, socks, belts, and more.

Do Native American parents still put their babies in cradleboards? Are the cradleboards comfortable?

Very few cradleboards are still in use today, they aren't as current as they were in the past. The cradleboards protect the baby both emotionally and physically. The board would keep the baby's back aligned and the bindings strengthen the baby's muscles by the baby pushing against it. Some cradleboards even had cushions for comfort.

Are Indians more prone to certain diseases than the general population? Why?

Indians live on average 4.7 years less than the general population. Poverty, unhealthy eating habits, inadequate housing, poor sanitation, uneven quality of and access to medical care, and resistance to seeking treatment could all be contributing to this statistic. Native Americans are more prone to liver disease and cirrhosis 4.9 times more than average. Natives are more than 7 times higher for death due to alcoholism, 3 times higher for accidental deaths, and more than 6 times higher for tuberculosis. Tuberculosis is suspected to be a disease from the past. Diabetes throughout Indian Country has raised 93% since 1981. Genetics is a major factor in the diabetes risk.

What are the rates of alcoholism, drug addiction, and suicide among American Indians?

Alcohol abuse is a problem within the Native community. This problem also increases the rates of suicide, homicide, auto accidents, crime, family abuse, and fetal alcohol syndrome. Drug-related death rates are higher for Natives by 65%. Suicide rates for Indians are 72% higher than the general population.

Do Indian do rain dances?

Yes, some tribe maintain the traditional of rain dances today. Natives always understood the connection between rain and life. Ceremonies, prayers, ritual art, songs, and dances are some of the ways that Native Americans acknowledge and maintain the balance in nature.

Are dream catchers an authentic tradition?

Yes, dream catchers are a tradition for the Ojibwe people. A dream catchers were used to remove bad dreams and would be attached to a cradleboard to protect the baby.

Why are most Indian ceremonies and dances off-limits to Non-Native audiences?

Ceremonies are both personal and communal also private and public. Ceremonies are the deepest expressions of Native American religion and spiritual belief. They help heal the tribal community physically, spiritually, emotionally, and mentally. These events are held for a purpose but not always an audience, but many are open to the public.

What is the Native American religion?

There isn't one distinct religion for Natives. But the mix of tribes do hold some common spiritual principles. Religion was always deeply integrated into everyday life. When settlers moved into America they brought their religion and tried to force it upon the Indians. Today many Natives practice both Native traditional religion and Christianity.

Do Indians have funerals?

The funeral traditions vary from tribe to tribe, but yes, Native Americans do have funerals.

How many Indian tribes are officially recognized in the U.S. today?

In 2006 the count of recognized tribes was 561.

Can Indians leave the reservations? Why do reservations still exist?

As U.S. citizens, Natives can live anywhere they choose. A reservation is land set aside for tribes to inhabit. Today, Indians and Non-Indians can live either on reservations or off of them, it's a personal choice. Reservations still exist because of the treaties between the federal government and tribes.

Why do American Indians run casinos?

Casinos that are located on tribal land are owned by the tribe. In 1988 the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act was passed by Congress. This act guaranteed tribes the right to hold gaming on their land to stimulate an economy.

What happens to the revenue from Indian casinos?

In 2004, the National Indian Gaming Association said that the revenue of the casinos were split up by: 20% for education, child and elder care, and cultural preservation, 19% goes to economic development, 17% to health care, 17% to police and fire protection, 16% to infrastructure, and 11% to housing.

What benefits do Indians receive from the U.S. government?

In return for the land the settlers received from Native Americans were payments, reservations, and benefits. Some benefits include the Indian Health Service, education grants and programs, and housing assistance. Since the creation of more Native American government agencies, "Indian preference" would be considered during the employment process.

Do Natives have to pay taxes?

Yes, Natives have to pay federal income taxes. Indians who live on reservations don't have to pay state income taxes on the money they earn by working on the reservation.

Do Indians have to follow state hunting and fishing regulations?

In the United States, Indians have the right to hunt and fish their traditional land. Since tribes are sovereign they have the right to regulate the hunting and fishing activities of their members. And since the tribes are sovereign, state hunting and fishing laws don't apply to Native Americans who hunt and fish on the traditional lands.

How does someone become a tribal chief?

Tribes vary on the ways their leader is chosen. Birthright, community election, select members of the clans, a good deed or an act of bravery for the good of the whole tribe could all be used to determine who will become tribal chief. Spiritual insights and ability to guide people spiritually could also be used to determine who will lead. Today, it is common that the word chief is replaced with chairman.