The Pine Ridge Indian Reservation: A Journey Through Its Past, Present, and Future
The Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, home to the Oglala Lakota Nation, is one of the largest reservations in the United States. Located in southwestern South Dakota, it spans more than 2.1 million acres of land, making it not only vast in size but also deeply significant in cultural and historical importance. Statistics and news stories […]
What is an Indian Reservation? A Guide to Sovereign Lands and Nations
An American Indian reservation is an area of land recognized by the U.S. government where a Native Nation exercises authority and self-governance under federal trust. These lands are home to sovereign tribal nations that have a distinct political and legal relationship with the United States, established through treaties, federal law, and a complicated history. At […]
A Guide to Native American Languages
There is no single “Native American language”. Instead, there are hundreds of distinct Native American languages, each representing its own worldview, identity, and cultural legacy. These languages are not relics of the past, but living expressions of resilience, creativity, and community that continue to shape the United States today. While Indigenous peoples across North and […]
How to Support Native American Tribes
In the United States today, Native communities continue to face some of the most significant social and economic disparities. In 2024, 19.3% of Native Americans lived below the poverty line under the Official Poverty Measure (about 0.8 million people), and 19.8% under the Supplemental Poverty Measure. On many reservations, nearly 48% of households lack access […]
How Native American Communities Survive Harsh Winters
For generations, Native American communities across North America have faced long, freezing winters with resilience and ingenuity. From the northern plains to the mountain valleys, surviving the cold meant more than enduring snow and ice; it required deep knowledge of the land, resourcefulness, and communal strength. Families depended on traditional skills to stay warm, preserve […]
Native American Food Sovereignty: Restoring Traditions and Feeding the Future
Food is central to life, culture, and survival. For Native communities, the fight for food sovereignty is about far more than what is on the table. It is about restoring traditions, protecting land and seeds, and ensuring that generations to come can thrive with dignity, health, and self-determination. What Is Native American Food Sovereignty? Native […]
Understanding the Strengths and Challenges of Native Youth Today
Native youth today represent strength, resilience, and cultural pride. At the same time, they face systemic challenges that affect their health, education, and opportunities. At Running Strong for American Indian Youth, we partner with Native communities to support young people through culturally grounded programs that build confidence, leadership, and access to resources. In this resource, […]
Native American Education: History, Challenges, and Hope for the Future
Native American students make up a small fraction of the U.S. public school population. As of Fall 2022, only about 449,000 American Indian and Alaska Native students were enrolled, accounting for less than 1% of all students nationwide (NCES). Despite this small representation, these students face some of the most persistent educational challenges in the […]
Native American Art: History, Traditions, and Contemporary Voices
What Is Native American Art? Native American art encompasses the visual, functional, and symbolic creations of Indigenous peoples across North America. These works include everything from traditional carvings and textiles to modern installations and paintings, each rooted in a long history of cultural expression. Terms like “American Indian art,” “Native art,” and “American Indian artwork” […]
Life on Native American Reservations: Challenges, Resilience & Progress
In 2021, the median household income for American Indian households on reservations in the lower 48 states was $42,224, lower than that of Mississippi, the poorest state in the U.S. at $52,719. This striking figure underscores the economic hardship that continues to shape daily life on many Native American reservations. However, life on Native American […]