Name One American Indian Tribe in the United States

Name one American Indian tribe in the United States. There are 574 federally recognized tribes in the United States. For the citizenship test, you can name any federally recognized tribe. Common answers include: Cherokee, Navajo, Sioux, Chippewa, Choctaw, Pueblo, Apache, Iroquois, Creek, Blackfeet, Seminole, Cheyenne, Arawak, Shawnee, Mohegan, Huron, Oneida, Lakota, Crow, Teton, Hopi, or Inuit. Each tribe has its own distinct culture, history, language, and traditions.

For the citizenship test, you need to know the name of at least one American Indian tribe. Any federally recognized tribe is a correct answer.

The Essential Facts

For the citizenship test, memorize at least one tribe name. Easy options:

Cherokee: One of the largest tribes, originally from Southeast
Navajo: Largest tribe by enrollment, primarily in Southwest
Sioux: Major Plains tribe, also called Dakota or Lakota
Apache: Southwest tribe known for resistance to colonization
Iroquois: Confederacy of tribes in Northeast

Any federally recognized tribe name is correct. Choose one that’s easy for you to remember and pronounce.

What Is a Tribe?

A tribe is a group of Native American people who share:

Common ancestry: Descended from the same ancestral group
Culture: Similar customs, traditions, and ways of life
Language: Often speak the same or related languages
Territory: Historically occupied the same geographic area
Government: Organized political structure and leadership
Identity: Members identify as belonging to the tribe

Tribes are sovereign nations with their own governments, laws, and territories within the United States.

Federal Recognition

Federal recognition means the U.S. government officially acknowledges a tribe:

What It Means:

• Government-to-government relationship with the United States
• Tribal sovereignty and self-government
• Eligibility for federal services and benefits
• Trust relationship with the federal government
• Authority over tribal lands and members

How Many:
574 tribes are federally recognized as of 2024

Not All Tribes Recognized:
Many legitimate indigenous groups lack federal recognition due to historical disruptions, lost documentation, or government policies

State Recognition:
Some tribes have state recognition but not federal recognition

Major Tribes by Region

Native American tribes are diverse and found throughout the United States:

Northeast:

• Iroquois (Haudenosaunee): Confederacy of six nations (Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, Seneca, Tuscarora)
• Cherokee: Originally Southeast but many forced to Oklahoma
• Chippewa (Ojibwe): Great Lakes region
• Mohegan: Connecticut and surrounding areas
• Wampanoag: Massachusetts, helped Pilgrims survive

Southeast:

• Cherokee: North Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia (before removal)
• Creek (Muscogee): Alabama, Georgia, Florida
• Choctaw: Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana
• Chickasaw: Mississippi, Tennessee, Alabama
• Seminole: Florida, resisted removal

Plains:

• Sioux (Dakota, Lakota, Nakota): Dakotas, Minnesota, Nebraska
• Cheyenne: Montana, Oklahoma
• Crow: Montana
• Blackfeet: Montana
• Comanche: Oklahoma, Texas

Southwest:

• Navajo (Diné): Arizona, New Mexico, Utah (largest tribe by enrollment)
• Apache: Arizona, New Mexico
• Pueblo: New Mexico (includes Hopi, Zuni, and others)
• Hopi: Arizona

Northwest:

• Chinook: Oregon, Washington
• Nez Perce: Idaho, Oregon, Washington
• Yakama: Washington

California:

• Over 100 tribes including Pomo, Miwok, Yurok

Alaska:

• Inuit: Arctic Alaska
• Tlingit: Southeast Alaska
• Aleut: Aleutian Islands

This diversity shows Native Americans are not one people but hundreds of distinct nations.

The Cherokee Nation

One of the most well-known tribes:

Population: Over 400,000 enrolled members (one of the largest tribes)

Location:

• Originally: Southeast (Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama)
• Now: Primarily Oklahoma, with Eastern Band in North Carolina

History:

• Developed written language (Sequoyah’s syllabary, 1821)
• Published newspaper in Cherokee and English
• Adopted constitutional government
• Forced to relocate on Trail of Tears (1838-1839)
• About 4,000 Cherokee died during forced removal

Today:

• Cherokee Nation in Oklahoma (largest tribe by enrollment)
• United Keetoowah Band in Oklahoma
• Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians in North Carolina
• Thriving communities preserving language and culture

Significance:
Cherokee history illustrates both Native American resilience and tragic consequences of U.S. expansion policies.

The Navajo Nation

The largest tribe by enrollment:

Population: Over 300,000 enrolled members

Location:

• Navajo Nation Reservation spans Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah
• 27,000 square miles (about the size of West Virginia)
• Largest reservation in the United States

Language:

• Navajo (Diné bizaad) still widely spoken
• Used as unbreakable code in World War II (Code Talkers)

Economy:

• Sheep herding, weaving, jewelry making
• Natural resources (oil, gas, coal, uranium)
• Tourism

Culture:

• Traditional hogans (homes)
• Weaving and silverwork
• Ceremonies and spiritual practices
• Strong clan system

Challenges:

• High poverty and unemployment rates
• Limited infrastructure in remote areas
• Health care access issues
• Balancing tradition and modern life

Significance:
Navajo Nation demonstrates tribal sovereignty and self-governance on a large scale.

The Sioux (Dakota, Lakota, Nakota)

Major Plains tribes:

Three Divisions:

• Dakota (Eastern Sioux): Minnesota, Eastern Dakotas
• Lakota (Western Sioux): Western Dakotas, Nebraska, Montana
• Nakota (Middle Sioux): South Dakota

Population: Over 170,000 total across all Sioux tribes

History:

• Buffalo hunters on Great Plains
• Resistance to U.S. expansion
• Battle of Little Bighorn (1876): Defeated General Custer
• Wounded Knee Massacre (1890): U.S. troops killed hundreds of Sioux

Famous Leaders:

• Sitting Bull: Lakota leader who defeated Custer
• Crazy Horse: Lakota warrior and leader
• Red Cloud: Oglala Lakota chief

Today:

• Multiple reservations (Pine Ridge, Rosebud, Standing Rock, others)
• Work to preserve language and traditions
• Face poverty and social challenges
• Active in sovereignty and rights movements

Significance:
Sioux history represents both Native American military resistance and ongoing struggles for rights and dignity.

The Iroquois Confederacy

Sophisticated political union:

Six Nations:

1. Mohawk
2. Oneida
3. Onondaga
4. Cayuga
5. Seneca
6. Tuscarora (joined later)

Government:

• Confederacy united six nations under one government
• Council of chiefs made decisions by consensus
• Sophisticated constitution (Great Law of Peace)
• Influenced American founders (some scholars argue)

Location: New York State primarily

History:

• Formed confederacy before European contact (exact date debated)
• Allied with British in French and Indian War and Revolutionary War
• Divided during Revolutionary War (some nations supported each side)
• Forced to cede most lands after Revolution

Today:

• Six reservations in New York State
• Some communities in Canada
• Maintain traditional government alongside modern systems
• Preserve language and culture

Significance:
Iroquois Confederacy demonstrates Native American political sophistication and possible influence on U.S. government structure.

The Apache

Resistance fighters of the Southwest:

Divisions: Several Apache groups including Chiricahua, Mescalero, Jicarilla, Western Apache, Lipan

Location: Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma

History:

• Fierce resistance to Spanish, Mexican, and American expansion
• Apache Wars (1851-1886): Fought U.S. military
• Geronimo: Famous leader who resisted U.S. control
• Finally surrendered in 1886 after decades of conflict

Culture:

• Hunter-gatherers and raiders
• Excellent horsemen and warriors
• Strong family and clan bonds
• Spiritual traditions tied to land

Today:

• Multiple Apache reservations
• Work to preserve language (severely endangered)
• Cultural renewal efforts
• Economic development through casinos and tourism

Significance:
Apache history shows Native American resistance to colonization and determination to maintain independence.

Tribal Sovereignty

Federally recognized tribes have sovereign status:

What Sovereignty Means:

• Tribes are nations with inherent authority to govern themselves
• Government-to-government relationship with United States
• Authority over tribal lands and members
• Can make laws, run courts, and manage resources
• Not subject to state authority in many areas

Limits on Sovereignty:

• Congress has “plenary power” over Indian affairs
• Federal government can limit tribal authority
• Tribes cannot conduct foreign policy
• Limited criminal jurisdiction over non-Indians

Examples of Sovereignty:

• Tribes operate casinos under Indian Gaming Regulatory Act
• Tribal police enforce laws on reservations
• Tribal courts adjudicate disputes
• Tribes manage natural resources
• Tribes provide services (health, education, housing)

Importance:
Sovereignty allows tribes to preserve cultures, govern communities, and maintain distinct identities.

Native Americans Today

Current status of Native Americans and tribes:

Population:

• About 5.2 million people identify as Native American or Alaska Native
• About 2.9 million identify as solely Native American
• Roughly 1.5% of U.S. population

Where They Live:

• About 70% live in urban areas
• About 30% live on or near reservations
• Largest urban populations in Los Angeles, Phoenix, New York

Challenges:

• High poverty rates on many reservations
• Limited economic opportunities
• Health disparities (diabetes, alcoholism, suicide)
• Educational achievement gaps
• Missing and murdered indigenous women crisis
• Environmental threats to sacred sites

Strengths:

• Cultural renewal and language preservation
• Growing economic development (gaming, tourism, natural resources)
• Political activism and rights advocacy
• Artistic and cultural contributions
• Increasing college attendance

Contributions:

• Military service (highest per capita rate of any ethnic group)
• Cultural influences (art, music, literature)
• Environmental stewardship
• Democratic governance examples

Why Learning Tribal Names Matters

Understanding tribes is important because:

Respecting Diversity:
Native Americans are not one people but hundreds of distinct nations. Using specific tribal names shows respect for this diversity.

Historical Accuracy:
American history involved specific tribes—Cherokee removal, Navajo Long Walk, Sioux resistance. Using proper tribal names tells history accurately.

Current Relevance:
Tribes remain active political entities with governments, economies, and cultures. They are not historical relics but living nations.

Legal Status:
Tribes have legal standing as sovereign nations. Understanding this requires knowing specific tribes and their status.

Cultural Appreciation:
Each tribe has unique contributions to American culture. Recognizing specific tribes honors these contributions.

Common Misconceptions

Several myths about Native Americans persist:

Myth: All Native Americans are the same.
Reality: 574 federally recognized tribes with distinct languages, cultures, and histories.

Myth: Native Americans live in the past.
Reality: Native Americans are modern people balancing tradition and contemporary life.

Myth: All Native Americans live on reservations.
Reality: About 70% live in urban areas.

Myth: Native Americans get free money from the government.
Reality: Treaty obligations provide some services, but most Native Americans face economic challenges. Casino revenues benefit some tribes but not all.

Myth: Native Americans don’t pay taxes.
Reality: Native Americans pay federal income taxes like all citizens. Tribal members may not pay certain state taxes on reservation income, but tax rules are complex.

Myth: Native American tribes are dying out.
Reality: Native populations are growing. Cultural renewal is strong. Languages and traditions are being preserved.

Connections That Matter

Understanding Native American tribes connects to American colonial history. Colonization involved specific tribes—Wampanoag helping Pilgrims, Powhatan assisting Jamestown, Iroquois allying with British.

Tribes relate to American expansion. Westward expansion meant taking tribal lands through treaties, wars, and forced removals. Understanding tribes helps understand this history.

Tribal sovereignty connects to American federalism. Tribes represent a third layer of government alongside federal and state. Understanding tribal government helps understand American political structure.

For more on Native Americans, see our articles on Native Americans before Europeans and Native American assistance to colonists in the uscis-questions category. To understand treaties and policies, explore articles on American expansion and Indian removal.

Top 10 Frequently Asked Questions

Which tribe should I memorize for the test?
Any federally recognized tribe. Cherokee, Navajo, and Sioux are easy to remember and well-known. Choose one you can pronounce confidently.

How many tribes are there?
574 federally recognized tribes. Many other groups exist without federal recognition.

Do I need to know details about the tribe?
No. Just knowing the tribe name is sufficient for the citizenship test.

Are Native Americans and American Indians the same?
Yes. Both terms are acceptable. Some individuals prefer one term; others prefer the other. “Native American” is more common today.

Why are there so many different tribes?
Native peoples lived throughout North America for thousands of years, developing distinct cultures adapted to different environments. This diversity is natural.

Do tribes still exist?
Yes. Tribes are living nations with governments, territories, and citizens. They are not historical artifacts but current political entities.

What’s the difference between a tribe and a nation?
“Tribe” and “nation” both refer to Native American political groups. Many tribes prefer “nation” to emphasize their sovereignty. The terms are often used interchangeably.

Can anyone join a tribe?
No. Tribes set their own membership criteria, usually requiring proven ancestry from tribal members. Requirements vary by tribe.

Where can I learn more about specific tribes?
Tribal websites, museums, cultural centers, and educational resources provide information. Always seek information from the tribes themselves when possible.

What should I memorize for the citizenship test?
Memorize at least one tribe name: Cherokee, Navajo, Sioux, Apache, Iroquois, or any other federally recognized tribe. Being able to name one tribe is sufficient for the test.