Cultural Burning: How Indigenous Fire Stewardship Cares for Land
Cultural burning connects care for land with Indigenous knowledge and authority. Explore Karuk and Yurok examples, ecological research and changes in California law.
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Federally Recognized vs. State-Recognized Tribes: What the Difference Means
Federal and state Tribal recognition describe different legal relationships. Learn what each means for citizenship, services, land and government authority.
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Native American Reservations Explained: Land, Government and Common Myths
The word “reservation” is often used as if it describes one uniform kind of place. In reality, reservations vary enormously in size, history, population, land ownership and government. Some include cities and heavily traveled highways; others are rural or remote. Some retain a large trust-land base, while others have a checkerboard of Tribal, individual and…
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Navajo Code Talker Museum Plan Draws Questions Over Consultation and Control
New Mexico’s plan to build a nearly $20 million Navajo Code Talker museum is moving forward amid questions from descendants about whether the project was developed with sufficient community consultation. The state announced August 14 that the museum would be constructed at Navajo Preparatory School in Farmington. Funding will cover construction and exhibits about the…
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Interior Reverses Scotts Valley Band’s Vallejo Gaming Approval
The U.S. Department of the Interior has reversed its earlier approval of gaming by the Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians in Vallejo, California, prompting the Tribe to suspend a preview casino only one week after it opened. Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs William H. Kirkland III issued the 39-page determination July 31. He concluded…
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Native American Glossary: Essential Terms & Concepts Defined
Master the essential terminology of Indian Country in 2026. Clear definitions for Tribe vs. Nation, Sovereignty, Blood Quantum, Land Acknowledgments, Treaty Rights, and more—grounded in Native-led sources.
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Current Native American Voting Rights and Political Activism
Explore the state of Native American voting rights in 2026. Learn about the unique challenges of voting on reservations, the impact of the “Native Vote” in key elections, and the rise of Indigenous political activism.
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What Is Tribal Sovereignty?
Explore the meaning and history of tribal sovereignty — the legal foundation of Native American self-governance. Learn how tribes exercise authority and why sovereignty matters today.
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Blood Quantum & Tribal Enrollment Debates
Explore the complexities of blood quantum laws, lineal descent criteria, and the ongoing debates around tribal enrollment. Understand why tribes are re-evaluating membership standards and how this shapes identity and sovereignty.
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Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) Explained
A deep dive into the 1978 Indian Child Welfare Act—why Congress passed it, how it protects Native families, and what the 2023 Haaland v. Brackeen decision means for tribal sovereignty.
