Native American: Definition, Terminology, Citizenship, and Tribes

Few topics stir as much curiosity—and confusion—as what it means to be Native American. The answer depends on whether you’re looking at federal law, tribal enrollment criteria, or personal identity. Today, the Native American Rights Fund (tribal advocacy organization) counts 574 federally recognized tribes, each with its own citizenship rules. This guide sorts through the definitions, the history, and the numbers, so you can understand the landscape clearly.

Total U.S. population (2020 Census): 3.7 million · Estimated total Native American population (2023): 5.0 million · Percentage living outside reservations: 80% · Federally recognized tribes: 574

Five numbers, one pattern: Native American identity is shaped by legal status, population size, and historical milestones.

What is considered to be Native American?

What does it mean to be Native American?

• Definition varies by legal (blood quantum), cultural (enrollment), and self-identification criteria. The Bureau of Indian Affairs (federal agency) states there is no single federal or tribal criterion that establishes a person’s identity as American Indian or Alaska Native.
• The U.S. Census uses “American Indian and Alaska Native” for its counts (U.S. Census Bureau).
• Federally recognized tribes have sovereign authority to determine citizenship, not based on race but on political classification (Native American Rights Fund).

What is the name of the Native American people?

There is no single name. Many people prefer their specific tribal affiliation (e.g., Cherokee, Navajo, Choctaw). The broader terms “Native American,” “American Indian,” and “Indigenous” are all used, but preferences vary by region and generation. The Bureau of Indian Affairs notes that “Native American” came into broad usage in the 1970s as an alternative to “American Indian.”

Is Native American the same as Indian?

What’s a slang word for Native American?

Offensive slang terms like “Injun” or “Red Indian” are widely considered derogatory. The National Museum of the American Indian (Smithsonian) advises using the specific tribal name or “American Indian” when referring to individuals who prefer it. Avoid dated colonial-era terms.

Preferred terminology: Native American vs. American Indian

• Both terms are used interchangeably, but “Native American” is more common in modern U.S. usage, especially in federal contexts (Bureau of Indian Affairs).
• “Indian” originated from Columbus’s mistaken geography — he believed he had reached the Indies (National Museum of the American Indian).
• Many Indigenous people prefer “American Indian” or, most respectfully, their specific tribal name (Native American Rights Fund).

“Tribal citizenship is a political classification defined by tribal nations’ laws, not a matter of race.”

— Native American Rights Fund

What is the closest DNA to Native Americans?

What ethnicity is closest to Native American?

Genetic studies trace Native American origins to a single ancestral population from Siberia, with the closest living relatives among Indigenous Siberian groups such as the Ket and Nganasan. However, the Bureau of Indian Affairs emphasizes that DNA testing alone is not sufficient for tribal enrollment — tribal citizenship is a legal and political status, not a genetic one.

• Modern DNA tests can estimate Native American ancestry but are not accepted by tribes for citizenship decisions (Native American Rights Fund).
• Blood quantum, a colonial-era concept, is still used by some tribes but lacks scientific basis (Native Governance Center).

Are Native Americans US citizens?

What You Need to Know About Tribal Sovereignty and Birthright Citizenship

Yes — Native Americans became U.S. citizens through the Indian Citizenship Act of 1924 (Native American Rights Fund). However, tribal sovereignty means that enrolled members are citizens of three sovereigns: their tribal nation, the United States, and the state where they reside (Kansas Native American Affairs government office). Birthright citizenship applies to children born on U.S. soil, including reservation lands.

• U.S. citizenship was unilaterally conferred on tribal citizens in 1924 (Native American Rights Fund).
• Tribes retain inherent powers of self-government, except those extinguished by Congress (Bureau of Indian Affairs).
• Dual citizenship means tribal members vote in federal elections and are eligible for federal benefits (Bureau of Indian Affairs).

“Tribal nations are governments with inherent authority over their lands and citizens.”

— Native American Rights Fund

How many Native American tribes are there?

What is the Native American population today?

• 574 federally recognized tribes in the United States as of 2024 (Native American Rights Fund). The BIA’s FAQ lists 575, reflecting ongoing updates (Bureau of Indian Affairs).
• Over 5 million people identify as Native American alone or in combination (2023 estimate, U.S. Census Bureau).
• Largest tribes by enrollment: Cherokee Nation (over 390,000 citizens), Navajo Nation, Choctaw Nation, Sioux, and Chippewa (Cherokee Nation official site).

Native American history and current demographics

While the 2020 Census counted 3.7 million people who identified solely as American Indian and Alaska Native, the broader population — including those who identified with more than one race — is around 5 million. About 80% live outside reservations, and a growing number reside in urban areas (U.S. Census Bureau).

Native American vs. American Indian vs. Indigenous: Terminology Comparison

The terms overlap but carry different nuances. Here’s how they compare:

Timeline: Key Events in Native American History

• 1492: Columbus’s arrival leads to European use of the term “Indian.”
• 1830: Indian Removal Act forces relocation of tribes east of the Mississippi.
• 1924: Indian Citizenship Act grants U.S. citizenship to all Native Americans (Native American Rights Fund).
• 1975: Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act strengthens tribal governance (Bureau of Indian Affairs).
• 2020: U.S. Census reports 3.7 million American Indian and Alaska Native people (U.S. Census Bureau).

What We Know and What Remains Unclear

In Their Own Words

“Many Indigenous people prefer to be called by their specific tribal name rather than a general term.”

— National Museum of the American Indian (Smithsonian)

“Tribal sovereignty is the inherent authority of tribes to govern themselves and preserve their cultures and traditional ways of life.”

— Native American Rights Fund

For anyone trying to understand what “Native American” means today, the key takeaway is that identity is a legal status defined by tribal nations, not a genetic or cultural blanket. The 574 federally recognized tribes each hold sovereign power over citizenship, and the U.S. government recognizes that power through a government-to-government relationship. For individuals seeking connection, the path is through tribal law — not a DNA test. For American society, the challenge is to respect that sovereignty while addressing the legacy of policies like blood quantum that were designed to limit Native identity.

Related reading: Dieu et Mon Droit Meaning, Origin, and History of the Motto · Tijjani Reijnders: Ethnicity, Career, and Black Eye Story

For a deeper look at the legal and cultural aspects of Native American identity, including citizenship and tax implications, see legal and cultural aspects of Native American identity.

Frequently asked questions

For more on how identity and ethnicity intersect, see our guide on ethnic identity definitions.