This is a list of Native American politicians in the United States. These are Native Americans who served in the federal, state, or municipal governments.
Native American identity is a complex and contested issue. The Bureau of Indian Affairs defines Native American as having American Indian or Alaska Native ancestry. Legally, being Native American is defined as being enrolled in a federally recognized tribe or Alaskan village. These entities establish their own membership rules, and they vary. Each must be understood independently. Ethnologically, factors such as culture, history, language, religion, and familial kinships can influence Native American identity. [1]
All individuals on this list should have Native American ancestry. Historical figures might predate tribal enrollment practices and may be included based on reliable sources that document ethnological tribal membership. Any contemporary individuals should either be enrolled members of federally recognized tribes, or have cited Native American ancestry and be recognized as Native American by their respective tribes(s). Contemporary individuals who are not enrolled in a tribe but are documented as having tribal descent are listed as being "of descent" from a tribe.
For tribal leaders, please go to that tribe's article.
Name | Image | Life | Ethnicity or tribe | Party | Offices held |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Peter Pitchlynn | 1806–1881 | Choctaw Nation | Independent | Choctaw Ambassador to the United States, 1845–1861, 1866–1881 | |
National Union [2] | |||||
Independent | |||||
Ely Parker | 1828–1895 | Tonawanda Seneca | Independent | Commissioner of Indian Affairs in the Grant administration | |
Charles Curtis | 1860–1936 | Kaw/Osage/Potawatomi | Republican | U.S. Vice President, 1929–1933 | |
Ben Reifel | 1906–1990 | Rosebud Lakota | Republican | Interim Commissioner of Indian Affairs, 1976–1977 | |
Wilma Victor | 1919–1987 | Choctaw Nation | Republican | Special assistant to Secretary of the Interior Rogers Morton, 1971–1975 | |
Ada Deer | 1935–2023 | Menominee | Democratic | 6th Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Indian Affairs, 1993–1997 | |
Neal McCaleb | 1935– | Chickasaw Nation | Republican | 8th Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Indian Affairs, 2001–2003 | |
Ross Swimmer | 1943– | Cherokee Nation | Republican | 4th Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Indian Affairs, 1985–1989 Special Trustee for American Indians at the U.S. Department of the Interior | |
Larry Echo Hawk | 1948– | Pawnee Nation | Democratic | 11th Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Indian Affairs, 2009–2012 | |
Michael Burrage | 1950– | Choctaw Nation | Independent | Choctaw Ambassador to the United States, 1974–1994, 2001–present | |
David W. Anderson | 1953– | Choctaw/Ojibwe | Republican | 9th Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Indian Affairs, 2004–2005 | |
Marilynn Malerba | 1953– | Mohegan | Democratic | 45th Treasurer designate of the United States, 2022–present | |
Kevin Gover | 1955– | Pawnee Nation | Democratic | 7th Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Indian Affairs, 1997–2001 | |
Deb Haaland | 1960– | Laguna Pueblo | Democratic | 54th United States Secretary of the Interior, 2021–present | |
Arvo Mikkanen | 1961– | Kiowa Nation | Democratic | US Assistant Attorney for United States District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma since 1994. [3] Later unsuccessful US District Judge nomination [4] | |
Karina Walters | 1964– | Choctaw Nation | Democratic | Director of the Tribal Health Research Office at the National Institutes of Health, 2023–present | |
Carl J. Artman | 1965– | Oneida | Republican | 10th Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Indian Affairs, 2007–2008 | |
Keith Harper | 1965– | Cherokee Nation | Democratic | U.S. representative to the United Nations Human Rights Council, 2014–2017 | |
Kimberly Teehee | 1966– | Cherokee Nation | Democratic | White House Senior Policy Advisor for Native American Affairs, 2009–2012 | |
Kevin K. Washburn | 1967– | Chickasaw Nation | Democratic | 12th Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Indian Affairs, 2012–2016 | |
Tara Sweeney | 1973– | Arctic Slope Iñupiat | Republican | 13th Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Indian Affairs, 2018–2021 | |
Jack Jackson, Jr. | Navajo Nation | Democratic | Liaison to Secretary John Kerry, US Department of State [5] | ||
Bryan Newland | Bay Mills Chippewa | Democratic | 14th Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Indian Affairs, 2021–present | ||
Jeannie Hovland | Santee Dakota Sioux | Republican | Commissioner of the Administration for Native Americans and Deputy Assistant Secretary for Native American Affairs, Associate Commissioner of the National Indian Gaming Commission | ||
Roselyn Tso | Navajo Nation | Democratic | Director of the Indian Health Service, 2022–present | ||
Name | Image | Life | Ethnicity or tribe | Party | Offices held |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Albert P. Adams | 1942–2012 | Inupiaq | Democratic | State representative 1981–1989, state senator 1989–2001 | |
Billy Akers | 1947– | [ ? ] | Republican | State representative 1977–1979 | |
Charles G. Anderson | 1929–2022 | Aleut | Republican | State representative 1981–1983 | |
Nels A. Anderson, Jr. | 1939– | Yup’ik | Democratic | State representative 1975–1981, state senator 1982–1983 | |
Bill Beltz | 1912–1960 | Inupiaq | Democratic | Territorial representative 1949–1951, territorial senator 1951–1959, state senator and president of the state senate 1959–1960 | |
Ray Christiansen | 1922–1998 | Yup’ik | Democratic | State representative 1961–1967, state senator 1967–1973 | |
Joseph Chuckwuk | 1948– | Yup’ik | Democratic | State representative 1981–1983 | |
John E. Curtis | 1915–1999 | Inupiaq | Republican | State representative 1959–1961 | |
Larry T. Davis | 1930–2006 | Inupiaq | Democratic | State representative 1975–1977 | |
Chuck Degnan | 1941– | Inupiaq | Democratic | State representative 1971–1975 | |
Frank Degnan | 1901–1980 | [ ? ] | Democratic | Territorial representative 1951–1953 | |
Bryce Edgmon | 1961– | Yup'ik | Democratic | State representative 2007–present, speaker of the state house 2017–2021 | |
Independent | |||||
Charles Fagerstrom | 1905–1962 | Inupiaq | Democratic | Territorial representative 1953–1957, state representative 1959–1961 | |
Frank R. Ferguson | 1939–2003 | Inupiaq | Democratic | State representative 1971–1975, state senator 1975–1986 | |
Independent | |||||
Neal Foster | 1972– | Inupiaq | Democratic | State representative 2009–present | |
Richard Foster | 1946–2009 | Inupiaq | Democratic | State representative 1989–2009 | |
Charles Franz | c. 1910–1996 | [ ? ] | Democratic | State representative 1959–1961 | |
Phillip Guy | 1941–2011 | Yup’ik | Democratic | State representative 1973–1981 | |
Willie Hensley | 1941– | Inupiaq | Democratic | State representative 1967–1971, state senator 1971–1975 and 1987–1989 | |
Adelheid Herrmann | 1953– | Dena'ina | Democratic | State representative 1983–1989 | |
Jimmy Hoffman | c. 1925–1982 | Yup’ik | Republican | State representative 1959–1961 | |
Lyman Hoffman | 1950– | Yup’ik | Democratic | State representative 1987–1991 and 1993–1995, state senator 1991–1993 and 1995–present | |
Andrew Hope | 1896–1968 | Tlingit | Democratic | Territorial representative 1945–1953 and 1957–1959, state representative 1959–1963 | |
Eben Hopson | 1922–1980 | Inupiaq | Democratic | Territorial representative 1957–1959, state senator 1959–1967 | |
Jimmy Huntington | 1916–1987 | Koyukon | Independent | State representative 1975–1977 | |
Percy Ipalook | 1906–1990 | Inupiaq | Republican | Territorial representative 1949–1951, territorial senator 1951–1955 | |
Brenda Itta | 1943– | Inupiaq | Democratic | State representative 1975–1977 | |
Ivan M. Ivan | 1945– | Yup’ik | Democratic | State representative 1991–1993 and 1995–1999 | |
George Jacko | 1959– | Aleut | Democratic | State representative 1989–1993, state senator 1993–1995 | |
Dena'ina | |||||
Yup’ik | |||||
Arthur D. Johnson | 1920–1961 | [ ? ] | Republican | State representative 1961 | |
Axel C. Johnson | 1911–1985 | Yup’ik | Democratic | State representative 1959–1961 and 1963–1967 | |
Frank G. Johnson | 1894–1982 | Tlingit | Republican | Territorial representative 1947–1955 and 1957–1959 | |
Frank L. Johnson | c. 1904–[ ? ] | Inupiaq | Republican | Territorial representative 1949–1951 | |
Grace A. Johnson | 1924–2004 | Inupiaq | Republican | State representative 1962–1963 | |
Reggie Joule | 1952– | Inupiaq | Democratic | State representative 1997–2012 | |
Sam Kito III | 1964– | Tlingit | Democratic | State representative 2014–2019 | |
Albert Kookesh | 1948–2021 | Tlingit | Democratic | State representative 1997–2005, state senator 2005–2013 | |
Jacob Laktonen | 1917–1996 | Alutiiq | Republican | State representative 1973–1975 | |
Loren Leman | 1950– | Alutiiq | Republican | State representative 1989–1993, state senator 1993–2002, lieutenant governor 2002–2006 | |
Georgianna Lincoln | 1943– | Gwich'in | Democratic | State representative 1991–1993, state senator 1993–2005 | |
John Lincoln | 1981– | Inupiaq | Democratic | State representative 2018–2021 | |
Independent | |||||
Don Long | 1944– | Inupiaq | Democratic | State representative 1996–1997 | |
Jerry Mackie | 1962– | Haida | Democratic | State representative 1991–1997, state senator 1997–2001 | |
Republican | |||||
Eileen MacLean | 1949–1996 | Inupiaq | Democratic | State representative 1989–1995 | |
Byron Mallott | 1943–2020 | Tlingit | Democratic | Commissioner of community and regional affairs 1972–1974, lieutenant governor 2014–2018 | |
Independent | |||||
Beverly Masek | 1963– | Deg Hit'an | Republican | State representative 1995–2005 | |
Charisse Millett | 1964– | Inupiaq | Republican | State representative 2009–2019 | |
Martin B. Moore | 1937–2022 | Yup’ik | Democratic | State representative 1971–1973 | |
Carl M. Morgan | 1950– | Yup’ik | Republican | State representative 1999–2005 | |
Carl E. Moses | 1929–2014 | Aleut | Alaskan Independence | State representative 1965–1973 and 1993–2007 | |
Democratic | |||||
Republican | |||||
Benjamin Nageak | 1950– | Inupiaq | Democratic | State representative 2013–2017 | |
Alfred Nakak | 1947–2000 | Inupiaq | Democratic | State representative 1977–1979 | |
Ed Naughton | 1930–2002 | [ ? ] | Democratic | State representative 1971–1977 | |
Irene Nicholia | 1956– | Koyukon | Democratic | State representative 1993–1999 | |
John Nusunginya | 1927–1981 | Inupiaq | Democratic | State representative 1959–1963 | |
Donny Olson | 1953– | Inupiaq | Democratic | State senator 2001–present | |
Alvin Osterback | 1915–2005 | [ ? ] | Democratic | State representative 1975–1981 | |
Justin Parish | 1980– | Tinglit | Democratic | State representative 2017–2019 | |
Josiah Patkotak | 1994– | Inupiaq [6] | Independent | State representative 2020–present | |
Moses Paukan | 1933–2017 | Yup’ik | Democratic | State representative 1968–1971 | |
William Paul | 1885–1977 | Tlingit | Republican | Territorial representative 1925–1929, (first Alaska Native legislator) | |
Frank Peratrovich | 1895–1984 | Tlingit | Democratic | Territorial representative 1945–1947, territorial senator 1947–1951 and 1957–1959, delegate and first vice president of constitutional convention 1955–1956, state senator 1959–1967, president of the state senate 1961–1965, state representative 1969–1973 | |
Larry Peterson | 1939– | Gwich'in | Democratic | State representative 1973–1975 | |
John Sackett | 1944–2021 | Koyukon | Republican | State representative 1967–1971, state senator 1973–1987 | |
Woodie Salmon | 1952– | Gwich'in | Democratic | State representative 2005–2011 | |
Mary Sattler | 1973– | Yup’ik | Democratic | State representative 1999–2009 | |
Leo Schaeffer | 1947– | Inupiaq | Democratic | State representative 1977–1981 | |
Frank See | 1915–1998 | Tlingit | Democratic | State representative 1965–1969 | |
Martin Seversen | 1925–1979 | [ ? ] | [ ? ] | State representative 1977 | |
Jake Stalker | 1917–c. 2008 | Inupiaq | Democratic | State representative 1961–1967 | |
Bill Thomas | 1947– | Tlingit | Republican | State representative 2005–2013 | |
Tony Vaska | 1948– | Yup’ik | Democratic | State representative 1981–1985 | |
Kay Wallis | 1944– | Gwich'in | Democratic | State representative 1985–1991 | |
Tim Wallis | 1940– | Gwich'in | Democratic | State representative 1975–1977 | |
Jerry Ward | 1948– | Alaskan Athabaskan | Alaskan Independence | State representative 1983–1985, state senator 1997–2003 | |
Republican | |||||
James K. Wells | 1906–1979 | Inupiaq | Democratic | Territorial representative 1951–1953 | |
John Westdahl | 1918–1968 | Yup’ik | Democratic | State representative 1967–1968 | |
Dean Westlake | 1960– | Inupiaq | Democratic | State representative 2017 | |
Alfred Widmark | 1904–1989 | Tlingit | Republican | State representative 1961–1963 | |
Bill K. Williams | 1943–2019 | Tlingit | Democratic | State representative 1993–2005 | |
Republican | |||||
Jules W. Wright | 1933–2022 | Gwich'in | Republican | State representative 1967–1969 | |
Fred Zharoff | 1944–2001 | Alutiiq | Democratic | State representative 1979–1985, state senator 1985–1997 | |
Tiffany Zulkosky | 1984– | Yup’ik | Democratic | State representative 2018–present |
Name | Image | Life | Ethnicity or tribe | Party | Offices held |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Carlyle Begay | [ ? ] | Navajo | Democratic | State senator 2013–2017 | |
Republican | |||||
Jennifer D. Benally | [ ? ] | Navajo [7] | Democratic | State representative 2015–2017 | |
Wenona Benally | Navajo | Democratic | State representative 2017-2019 | ||
Jasmine Blackwater-Nygren | Navajo | Democratic | State representative 2020–2023 [8] | ||
Domingo DeGrazia | Cherokee | Democratic | State representative 2019–2023 [8] | ||
Eric Descheenie | Navajo | Democratic | State representative 2017–2019 | ||
Chris Deschene | Navajo | Democratic | State representative 2009–2011 | ||
Luis A. Gonzalez | Pascua Yaqui | Democratic | State senator, District 10, 1979–1986 [9] | ||
Sally Ann Gonzales | 1957– | Pascua Yaqui | Democratic | State representative 1997–2001 and 2011–2019 | |
Tom Gordon | Hualapai | Republican | State representative 1999–2001 | ||
Albert Hale | 1950–2021 | Navajo | Democratic | State senator 2004–2011; State representative 2011–2021 | |
Benjamin Hanley | 1941– | Navajo | Democratic | State representative, 1973–1998 [9] | |
Theresa Hatathlie | Navajo | Democratic | State Senator for AZ District 6, 2023-present | ||
James Henderson Jr. | 1942– | Navajo | Democratic | State senator, District 5, 1985–1999 [9] | |
Arthur J. Hubbard Sr. | 1912–2014 | Navajo, Tohono Oʼodham | Democratic | State senator 1972–1984 | |
Lloyd House | 1931–2015 | Navajo, Oneida | Democratic | State representative 1967–1968 [10] | |
Jack Jackson, Jr. | Navajo | Democratic | State Senator for AZ District 2, 2011–2013, State representative 2003–2005 | ||
Jennifer Jermaine | White Earth Ojibwe | Democratic | State representative for the 18th district (2019–present) [8] | ||
Sylvia Laughter | [ ? ] | Navajo | Democratic | State representative 1999–2005 | |
Independent | |||||
Myron Lizer | Navajo / Comanche | Republican | 10th Vice President of the Navajo Nation | ||
Peter MacDonald | 1928– | Navajo | Republican | 7th Chairman of the Navajo Nation (1970–1989) | |
Jonathan Nez | 1975– | Navajo | Democratic | 9th President of the Navajo Nation | |
Debora Lynn Norris | Navajo, Tohono Oʼodham | Democratic | State representative, District 11, 1997–2002 [9] | ||
Victoria Steele | [ ? ] | Seneca | Democratic | State representative 2013–2016, State senator 2019–2023 | |
Arlando Teller | Navajo | Democratic | State representative 2019–2021 [8] | ||
Albert Tom | 1956– | Navajo | Democratic | State representative, 2001–2002, 2005–2008 [9] | |
Myron Tsosie | Navajo | Democratic | State representative 2019–present [8] | ||
Daniel Peaches | 1940–2022 | Navajo | Democratic | State representative, 1975–1984 [9] | |
Jamescita Peshlakai | Navajo | Democratic | State representative, District 7 (2013-2015) State senator (2017-2021) [11] | ||
Mae Peshlakai | Navajo | Democratic | State representative, District 6 (2023-present) | ||
Peterson Zah | 1937–2023 | Navajo | Democratic | Special Adviser to ASU President on American Indian Affairs | |
Name | Image | Life | Ethnicity or tribe | Party | Offices held |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Donna Hutchinson | 1949– | Blackfeet | Republican | State representative, District 98, 2007–2013 [12] |
Name | Image | Life | Ethnicity or tribe | Party | Offices held |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Todd Gloria | 1978– | Tlingit–Haida | Democratic | State assemblyman (2017–2020) | |
James C. Ramos | 1967– | Serrano / Cahuilla | Democratic | San Bernardino Community College Board of Trustees (2005–12), San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors (2012–2018), California State Assemblymember (2018–present) |
Name | Image | Life | Ethnicity or tribe | Party | Offices held |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ben Nighthorse Campbell | 1933– | Northern Cheyenne | Democratic | Member of the Colorado House of Representatives from the 59th district (1983–1987) | |
Republican |
Name | Image | Life | Ethnicity or tribe | Party | Offices held |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Joseph R. Garry | 1910–1975 | Coeur d'Alene | Democratic | State representative (1956–1960) [13] [14] | |
Jeanne Givens | 1951/52– | Coeur d'Alene | Democratic | State representative (1985–1989) | |
Larry Echo Hawk | 1948– | Pawnee Nation | Democratic | Attorney General of Idaho (1991–1995) | |
Paulette Jordan | 1979– | Coeur d'Alene | Democratic | State representative (2014–2018) Democratic nominee for Governor in 2018 Democratic nominee for Senate in 2020 |
Name | Image | Life | Ethnicity or tribe | Party | Offices held |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Donne E. Trotter | 1950– | Choctaw [15] | Democratic | State senator (1993–2018); State representative (1988–1993) |
Name | Image | Life | Ethnicity or tribe | Party | Offices held |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ponka–We Victors | 1981– | Ponca–Tohono O'odham | Democratic | State representative, District 103 (2011–present) [16] | |
Stephanie Byers | 1963- | Chickasaw | Democratic | State representative, District 86 (2021-2023) [17] | |
Christina Haswood | 1994- | Navajo | Democratic | State representative, District 10 (2021-present) [18] |
Name | Image | Life | Ethnicity or tribe | Party | Offices held |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Reginald Meeks | 1954– | Cherokee Nation [19] | Democratic | State representative (2000–2021) |
Name | Image | Life | Ethnicity or tribe | Party | Offices held |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Lola Coly (Cola/Nicola) [20] | Penobscot | Independent | State representative, 1980–1897, 1911–1913 [21] | ||
Matthew Dana II | Passamaquoddy | Independent | State representative (non–voting) | ||
Lewy Mitchell | Passamaquoddy | Independent | State representative 1880–1881, 1883–1887, 1895–1897, 1903–1905 [21] | ||
Wayne Mitchell | 1952–2019 | Penobscot | Independent | State representative (non–voting) | |
John S. Nelson | Penobscot | Independent | State representative, 1957–1971 [21] | ||
Peter M. Nelson | Penobscot | Independent | State representative, 1905–1907 [22] [21] | ||
Peter F. Neptune | Passamaquoddy | Independent | State representative, 1905–1907 [22] [21] | ||
Joseph Neptune | Passamaquoddy | Independent | State representative, 1907–1909 [21] | ||
Joseph Nicolar | 1827–1894 | Penobscot | Independent | State representative, 1859–1866, 1881–1894 [21] | |
Rena Newell | Passamaquoddy | Independent | State representative (non-voting) | ||
Sebatis Shay | Penobscot | Independent | State representative, 1899–1901 [21] | ||
Nicholas Sockabasin | Penobscot | Independent | State representative, 1907–1909 [21] | ||
Peol Sockis | Penobscot | Independent | State representative, 1853–1856, 1861–1866 [21] | ||
Madonna Soctomah | Passamaquoddy | Independent | State representative (non-voting) | ||
Henry John Bear | Maliseet | Green | State representative (non–voting) |
Name | Image | Life | Ethnicity or tribe | Party | Offices held |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Watson F. Hammond | 1837–1919 | Montauk | Republican | State representative (1885) [23] |
Name | Image | Life | Ethnicity or tribe | Party | Offices held |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cora Reynolds Anderson | 1882-1950 | Chippewa | Republican | State representative (1924-1925) | |
Adam Hollier | 1985– | Muscogee Creek Nation | Democratic | State senator (2018–2022) |
Name | Image | Life | Ethnicity or tribe | Party | Offices held |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Susan Allen | 1963– | Rosebud Lakota | Democratic | State representative (2012–2019) | |
Jamie Becker–Finn | Leech Lake Ojibwe | Democratic | State representative (2017–present) | ||
Harold "Skip" Finn | 1948–2018 | Leech Lake Ojibwe | Democratic | State senator (1991–1996) | |
Peggy Flanagan | 1979– | White Earth Band of Ojibwe | Democratic | Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota (2019–present) State representative (2015–2019) | |
Steve Green | 1960– | White Earth Band of Ojibwe | Republican | State representative (2013–2023) State senator (2023–present) | |
Mary Kelly Kunesh–Podein | 1960– | Standing Rock Lakota | Democratic | State representative (2017–2021) State senator (2021–present) |
Name | Image | Life | Ethnicity or tribe | Party | Offices held |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Greenwood LeFlore | 1800–1865 | Mississippi Choctaw | Whig | State representative, State senator (1841–1844) | |
Phillip Martin | 1926–2010 | Mississippi Choctaw | Republican | Tribal Chief of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians (1979–2007) |
Name | Image | Life | Ethnicity or tribe | Party | Offices held |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dolly Akers | 1901–1986 | Assiniboine | Democratic | State representative, 1933–1934 [13] | |
Jade Bahr | 1988– | Northern Cheyenne [24] | Democratic | State representative, district 50 (2019–2021) | |
Barbara Bessette [25] | Chippewa Cree [24] | Democratic | State representative, district 24 (2018–present) | ||
Norma Bixby | 1941– | Northern Cheyenne | Democratic | State representative, district 41 (2000–2008) [26] | |
Margarett Campbell | 1954– | Assiniboine | Democratic | State representative, district 31 (2004–2011) [27] | |
Bill Eggers | Crow | Democratic | State representative, district 6 (1998–2003) [26] | ||
Bob Gervais | 1931– | Blackfeet Nation | Democratic | State representative (1989–1993) [28] [29] | |
George Heavy Runner | 1955– | Blackfeet Nation | Democratic | State representative, district 85 (1995–1998) [30] | |
Joey Jayne | 1957– | Navajo | Democratic | State representative, district 15 (2001–2009) [26] | |
Carol Juneau | 1945– | Mandan and Hidatsaa | Democratic | State representative (1998–2007); State senator (2007–2011) [26] | |
Denise Juneau | 1967– | Mandan and Hidatsaa | Democratic | Superintendent of Public Instruction (2009–2017) | |
Carolyn Pease–Lopez | Crow | Democratic | State representative (2008–2016) | ||
Leo Kennerly Jr. | 1936–1980 | Blackfeet Nation | Democratic | State representative (1977–1979) [31] | |
Roland Kennerly | 1934–2004 | Blackfeet Nation | Democratic | State representative (1981–1987) [29] | |
Gary Kimble | 1942–2022 | Gros Ventre | Democratic | State representative (1972–1978) [31] | |
George Kipp III | Blackfeet Nation | Democratic | State representative (2015–2019) | ||
G. Bruce Meyers | 1948– | Chippewa–Cree | Republican | State representative (2015–2017) | |
Shane Morigeau | 1984– | Confederated Salish and Kootenai | Democratic | State representative (2017–2021) State senator (2021–present) | |
Alvin Not Afraid Jr. | Crow | Republican | Chairman of the Crow Nation (2016–present) [32] | ||
Gerald Pease | 1954– | Crow [27] | Democratic | State representative (1997–1998); State senator, district 21 (2001–2009) [26] | |
Rae Peppers | Northern Cheyenne | Democratic | State representative (2013–2021) [33] | ||
Frosty Boss Ribs | 1955– | Blackfeet Nation | Democratic | State Representative (2009–2011, 2013–2015) | |
Tyson Runningwolf | Blackfeet Nation | Democratic | Representative for Montana house district 16 (2019–present) | ||
Angela Russell | 1943– | Crow | Democratic | State representative (1987–1995) | |
Jason Small | Northern Cheyenne | Republican | State senator (2017–present) | ||
Veronica Small-Eastman | 1941– | Crow | Democratic | State representative, district 42 (2002–2009) [27] | |
Frank Smith | 1942– | Assiniboine, Sioux [27] | Democratic | State representative (1998–2004, 2011–2013); State senator (2004–2009, 2017–2021) | |
Sharon Stewart–Peregoy | 1953– | Crow | Democratic | State senator (2009–2017) State representative (2017–present) | |
Jay O. Stovall | 1940–2011 | Crow | Republican | State representative (1992–2000) [30] | |
Jean A. Turnage | 1926–2015 | Confederated Salish and Kootenai | Republican | State representative, State senator (1969–1983) [29] | |
Bill Whitehead | 1939– | Assiniboine, Sioux | Democratic | State representative (1997–1998) [34] | |
Lea Whitford | Blackfeet Nation | Democratic | State senator (2015–present) | ||
Marvin Weatherwax Jr. | Blackfeet Nation [35] | Democratic | State representative, district 15 (2019–present) | ||
Susan Webber | Blackfeet Nation | Democratic | State representative (2015–present) | ||
Jonathan Windy Boy | Chippewa–Cree | Democratic | State representative (2002–2008); State senator (2008–present) | ||
Bill Yellowtail | 1948– | Crow | Democratic | State senator (1985–1994) [28] [29] |
Name | Image | Life | Ethnicity or tribe | Party | Offices held |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Tom Brewer | 1958– | Oglala | Republican | State representative, District 43, 2017– [36] |
Name | Image | Life | Ethnicity or tribe | Party | Offices held |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dewey Sampson | 1898–1982 | Pyramid Lake Paiute | Democratic | State representative, District 1, 1938–1940 [37] | |
John Oceguera | 1968– | Walker River Paiute | Democratic | State representative, 2000–2012 [38] | |
Shea Backus | 1975– | Cherokee | Democratic | State representative, 2018–2020 [39] |
Name | Image | Life | Ethnicity or tribe | Party | Offices held |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Anthony Allison | Navajo | Democratic | State representative, District 4 2019-present [40] | ||
James D. Atcitty | 1932–2014 | Navajo | Democratic | State representative, District 1 1964–1966 [41] [13] | |
Thomas Atcitty | 1933–2020 | Navajo | Democratic | State representative, District 4, 1981–1995 [42] | |
Reginald A. Begaye | c. 1944– | Navajo | Democratic | State representative, 1979–1980 [43] | |
Wilbert C. Begay | 1939– | Navajo | Republican | State representative, District 1, 1966–1970 [44] | |
Ray Begaye | 1954– | Navajo | Democratic | State representative, District 4 [45] (1999–2013) | |
Patricia Roybal Caballero | Piro-Manso-Tiwa [46] | Democratic | State representative (2013–present) | ||
Jake C. Chee | 1907–2014 | Navajo | Republican | State representative, District 1, 1966–1968 [44] [47] | |
Sharon Clahchischilliage | Navajo | Republican | State representative, District 4, 2013–2018 [48] | ||
Yvette Herrell | 1964– | Cherokee | Republican | State representative, District 51, 2011–2019. | |
Jack Jackson Sr. | 1933– | Navajo | Democratic | State representative [49] | |
Sandra D. Jeff | 1967/68– | Navajo | Democratic | State representative, District 5 [48] | |
Doreen Wonda Johnson | 1953– | Navajo [50] | Democratic | State representative (2015–present) | |
Monroe Jymm | 1933–1990 | Navajo | Democratic | State representative, District 1 1965–1967 [41] [13] | |
Tom Lee | 1920–1986 | Navajo | Republican | State senator, District 3 1966–1978 [13] | |
Derrick Lente | Sandia & Isleta Pueblo | Democratic | State representative, District 26 (2013–) | ||
Georgene Louis | Acoma Pueblo [51] | Democratic | State representative, District 26 (2013–2023) | ||
Brenda McKenna | Nambé Pueblo | Democratic | State senator, District 9 (2021-) [52] | ||
Lynda Lovejoy | 1949– | Navajo | Democratic | State representative, State senator, District 22 (2007-2013), Public Regulation Commissioner [53] | |
James Madalena | 1948– | Jemez Pueblo [54] | Democratic | State representative (1985–2017) | |
Patricia A. Madrid | 1994– | Pueblo [55] | Democratic | ||
John Pinto | 1924–2019 | Navajo | Democratic | State senator, District 3, [48] 1977–2019 | |
Shannon Pinto | Navajo | Democratic | State senator, District 3 (2019–present) | ||
Nick L. Salazar | 1929–2020 | Tewa (Ohkay Owingeh) [56] | Democratic | State representative, 40th District (1974–present) | |
Benny Shendo | Jemez Pueblo [57] | Democratic | State senator (2013–present) | ||
Albert Shirley | c. 1956– | Navajo | Democratic | State representative, District 6, 1985–1992 [58] | |
Leonard Tsosie | 1955– | Navajo | Democratic | State senator, District 22, 1993–2007 [59] | |
Leo C. Watchman | 1937–1993 | Navajo | Democratic | State representative, 1968–1979, 1983–1993 [60] | |
Wendell Chino | 1923-1998 | Apache | "Red Capitalism" | President of Mescalero Apache Nation 1965-1998 |
Name | Image | Life | Ethnicity Tribe | Party | Offices held |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Charles Graham | 1951– | Lumbee | Democratic | State representative, 2011–2023 | |
Jarrod Lowery | 1988- | Lumbee | Republican | State representative, 2023-present [61] | |
David T. McCoy | 1952– | Turtle Mountain Chippewa | Democratic | state public official, State Controller, State Budget Director, and Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Transportation | |
Henry Ward Oxendine | 1940–2020 | Lumbee | Democratic | State representative, 1973–1976 [62] | |
Ronnie N. Sutton | 1941- | Lumbee | Democratic | State representative, 1993-2011 [63] |
Name | Image | Life | Ethnicity or tribe | Party | Offices held |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dennis Bercier | 1952–2012 | Turtle Mountain Ojibwe | Democratic | State senator, 1999-2005 [64] [65] | |
Ruth Buffalo | Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation | Democratic | State representative | ||
Dawn Marie Charging | Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation | Republican | State representative, 2005–2007 [66] [64] | ||
Daniel F. Jérome | 1930– | Métis/Ojibwe | Democratic | State senator, 1990–1994 [64] [67] | |
Les J. LaFountain | Turtle Mountain Ojibwe | Democratic | State senator, 1997 [64] [68] | ||
Richard Marcellais | 1947– | Turtle Mountain Ojibwe | Democratic | State senator | |
Joseph Menz | 1883–1970 | Standing Rock Sioux | Republican | State representative 1957–1963 [69] | |
Wayne Trottier | Standing Rock Sioux | Republican | State representative | ||
Arthur J. Raymond | 1923–2009 | Oglala | Republican | State representative, 1971–1975 [70] [64] |
Name | Image | Life | Ethnicity or tribe | Party | Offices held |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bill Anoatubby | 1945– | Chickasaw Nation | Democratic | Lieutenant governor in the administration of Chickasaw Governor Overton James (1979–1987); Governor of the Chickasaw Nation (1987-Present) | |
Gary Batton | 1966– | Choctaw Nation | Republican | Assistant Chief in the administration of Choctaw Chief Greg Pyle (2007–2014); Chief of the Choctaw Nation (2014-Present) | |
Jimmy Belvin | 1900–1986 | Choctaw Nation | Democratic | State representative, 20th district (1955–1961); State senator, 20th district (1955–1961) | |
Scott Bighorse | c. 1956– | Osage Nation | Democratic | State representative, 20th district (1961–1965) | |
Steve Burrage | 1952– | Choctaw Nation | Democratic | State Auditor (2008–2011); State Tax Commissioner (2014–present) | |
Sean Burrage | 1968– | Choctaw Nation | Democratic | Senate Minority leader (2012–2014; State senator (2006–2014); President of Southeastern Oklahoma State University (2014–2019) | |
Lisa Johnson Billy | 1967– | Chickasaw Nation | Republican | State representative, 42nd district (2004–2016) [71] | |
Brian Bingman | 1953– | Muscogee Creek Nation | Republican | State senator (2007–2016); State representative (2005–2007); 36th Secretary of State of Oklahoma (2020–2023) | |
Brad Boles | 1983– | Cherokee Nation | Republican | State representative (2018–present) | |
Chelsey Branham | Chickasaw Nation | Democratic | State representative (2018–2020) | ||
Josh Brecheen | 1979– | Choctaw Nation [72] | Republican | State senator (2010–2018) | |
Trey Caldwell | 1988– | Choctaw Nation | Republican | State representative (2019–present) | |
Bobby Cleveland | 1943- | Choctaw Nation | Republican | State representative (2012–2018) | |
Helen Cole | 1922-2004 | Chickasaw Nation | Republican | State representative (1979–1984) State senator (1984-1988, 1991-1996) | |
Tom Cole | 1949– | Chickasaw Nation | Republican | 26th Secretary of State of Oklahoma (1995–1999) | |
Doug Cox | 1952– | Muscogee Creek Nation [73] | Republican | State representative (2005–2017) | |
Brad Carson | 1967– | Cherokee Nation | Democratic | United States House of Representatives (2001–2005), undersecretary of the Army (2014–15) and General Counsel of the Army (2012–2014) | |
William A. Durant | 1866–1948 | Choctaw Nation | Democratic | State representative (1907–1917); Speaker of the Oklahoma House (1911–1913) | |
James Dyer | 1887–1951 | Choctaw Nation | Democratic | State representative (1946–1951) [74] | |
J. Gladstone Emery | 1900–1978 | Muscogee Creek Nation | Democratic | State senator (1947–1951) [74] | |
Rusty Farley | 1953–2011 | Cherokee Nation | Republican | State representative, 1st district (2011) | |
Scott Fetgatter | 1968– | Choctaw Nation | Republican | State representative, 16th district (2016–present) | |
Avery Frix | 1994– | Choctaw Nation [72] | Republican | State representative (2017–2022) | |
William Fourkiller | 1965– | Cherokee Nation | Democratic | State representative (2010–2018) | |
Todd Gollihare | 1964– | Cherokee Nation | Republican | State Senator (2023-present) | |
Enoch Kelly Haney | 1940–2022 | Seminole Nation | Democratic | State representative (1980–1986), State senate (1986–2002) | |
David Hardin | Cherokee Nation | Republican | State representative (2018–present) | ||
Keith Harper | 1940– | Cherokee Nation | Democratic | U.S. representative to the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva (2014–2017) | |
Erick Harris | Muscogee Creek Nation | Republican | State representative (2024–present) | ||
LaDonna Harris | 1931– | Comanche Nation | Democratic | Vice presidential candidate for the Citizens Party in the 1980 United States presidential election | |
Citizens | |||||
Benjamin F. Harrison | 1875–1936 | Choctaw Nation | Democratic | State representative (1907–1910); Oklahoma Secretary of State (1911–1915) | |
David Holt | 1979– | Osage Nation | Republican | State senator (2010–2018) Mayor of Oklahoma City (2018–) | |
Chuck Hoskin | 1952– | Cherokee Nation | Democratic | State representative, 6th district (2007–2019) | |
Shane Jett | 1974– | Cherokee Nation | Republican | State representative (2004–2010); Presidential Appointee Community Development Advisory Board (2017–present); State senator (2021–present) | |
Fred Jordan | 1974– | Cherokee Nation | Republican | State representative (2007–2015) | |
Dan Kirby | 1946– | Muscogee Creek Nation [75] | Republican | State representative (2009–2017) | |
Richard Lerblance | Muscogee Creek Nation | Democratic | State senator (2003–2012) State representative (2002–2003) | ||
Ken Luttrell | 1953– | Cherokee Nation | Democratic | State representative (2007–present) | |
Republican | |||||
Wilma Mankiller | 1945–2010 | Cherokee Nation | Democratic | First woman elected to serve as Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation (1985–1995) | |
Al McAffrey | 1948– | Choctaw Nation | Democratic | State representative [71] (2007–2015) | |
Mark McBride | 1961– | Citizen Potawatomi | Republican | State representative (2012–present) | |
Neal McCaleb | 1935– | Chickasaw Nation | Republican | State representative (1975–1983), Oklahoma Secretary of Transportation (1995–2001) | |
Green McCurtain | 1848–1910 | Choctaw Nation | Republican | Vice President of the Sequoyah Constitutional Convention, 1905 | |
Curtis McDaniel | 1952– | Cherokee Nation | Democratic | State representative (2012–2014) | |
Skye McNiel | 1978– | Muscogee Creek Nation | Republican | State representative, 29th district [71] (2007–2013) | |
Jerry McPeak | 1946– | Muscogee Creek Nation | Democratic | State representative (2005–2016) | |
Johnston Murray | 1902–1974 | Of Chickasaw descent Not a registered member | Democratic | Governor (1951–1955) | |
Republican | |||||
Harriet Wright O'Leary | 1916–1999 | Choctaw Nation | Republican | First woman elected to the Choctaw Tribal Council | |
Mike Osburn | 1968– | Cherokee Nation | Republican | State representative (2016–present) | |
John Pfeiffer | 1986– | Cherokee Nation | Republican | State representative (2014–present) | |
Anastasia Pittman | 1970– | Seminole Nation | Democratic | State representative (2007–2013), State senator (2014–2018) | |
Ajay Pittman | 1993– | Seminole Nation | Democratic | State representative (2019–present) | |
Hollis E. Roberts | 1943–2011 | Choctaw Nation | Democratic | State representative (1975–1979) | |
Seneca Scott | 1977– | Choctaw Nation [75] | Democratic | State representative (2008–2016) | |
Ally Seifried | 1992- | Cherokee Nation | Republican | State senator (2023-present) | |
Dustin Roberts | Choctaw Nation | Republican | State representative (2010–present) | ||
T. W. Shannon | 1978– | Chickasaw Nation | Republican | State representative (2007–2015); Speaker of the Oklahoma House (2013–2014) | |
Jerry Shoemake | 1943– | Cherokee Nation | Democratic | State representative (2005–2016) | |
Ralph Shortey | 1982– | Rosebud Lakota | Republican | State representative (2011–2017) | |
John Sparks | Cherokee Nation | Democratic | State senator (2006–2018) | ||
William G. Stigler | 1891–1952 | Choctaw Nation | Democratic | State senator (1924–1932) | |
Kevin Stitt | 1972– | Cherokee Nation | Republican | Governor (2019–present) | |
Daniel Sullivan | 1963– | Choctaw Nation | Republican | State representative (2004–2011) | |
Amanda Swope | 1988– | Muscogee Creek Nation | Democratic | State representative (2022–present) | |
Houston B. Teehee | 1874–1953 | Cherokee Nation | Democratic | Mayor of Tahlequah (1907–1909) State representative (1910–1914) | |
Kimberly Teehee | 1968– | Cherokee Nation | Democratic | White House Senior Policy Advisor for Native American Affairs (2009–2012) | |
Bob A. Trent | 1913–1992 | Choctaw Nation | Democratic | State representative, state senator [74] | |
Mark Vancuren | 1964– | Cherokee Nation | Republican | State representative (2018–present) | |
Paul Wesselhoft | 1947– | Citizen Potawatomi | Republican | State representative (2005–2017) | |
Collin Walke | 1982– | Cherokee Nation | Democratic | State representative (2016–2023) | |
Cory Williams | Cherokee Nation | Democratic | State representative (2009–2019) | ||
Tom Woods | 1994- | Chickasaw Nation | Republican | State senator (2023-present) |
Name | Image | Life | Ethnicity or tribe | Party | Offices held |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Jackie Taylor | 1935–2008 | Potawatomi | Democratic | State representative (1991–2001) | |
Tawna Sanchez | 1961– | Shoshone, Bannock, Ute | Democratic | State representative (2017–present) |
Name | Image | Life | Ethnicity or tribe | Party | Offices held |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Barbara Smith | 1950– | Sac and Fox Nation | Democratic | State representative (2006–2010) |
Name | Image | Life | Ethnicity or tribe | Party | Offices held |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fawn Pedalino | 1987– | Natchez-Kusso | Republican | State representative (2023-present) |
Name | Image | Life | Ethnicity or tribe | Party | Offices held |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Jim Bradford | 1933–2020 | Oglala Sioux | Democratic | State senator (2009–2017); State representative (2001–2009) | |
Ed Iron Cloud III | 1964– | Oglala Sioux | Democratic | State representative (2009–2012) | |
Jim Emery | 1934–2021 | Cheyenne River Sioux | Republican | State representative (1985–1986), State senator (1986–1996) | |
Pat Flynn | 1922–1979 | Lakota | Republican | State senator (1971–1973) [76] | |
Red Dawn Foster | Oglala Sioux/Navajo | Democratic | State representative (2019 –present) | ||
Troy Heinert | 1972 – | Rosebud Lakota | Democratic | State representative (2013–2015), State senator (2015–Present) | |
Philip N. Hogen | Oglala Sioux | Republican | United States Attorney for the District of South Dakota (1981–1991), Commissioner of the National Indian Gaming Commission (2002–2009) | ||
Tamara St. John | 1966 – | Dakota Sioux | Republican | State representative (2019 – ) | |
Kevin Killer | 1979 – | Oglala Sioux | Democratic | State representative (2009–2017), State senator (2017–2019) | |
Steve Livermont | 1955 – | Oglala Sioux | Republican | State representative (2017–2021) | |
Ellis T. Peirce | 1846–1926 | Oglala Sioux | Republican | State representative (1903–1904) [77] | |
Peri Pourier | Oglala Sioux | Democratic | State representative (2019-present) | ||
Thomas Short Bull | 1946– | Oglala Sioux | Democratic | State senator (1983–1988) [76] | |
Theresa Two Bulls | 1949–2020 | Oglala Sioux | Democratic | State senator (2005–2009) | |
Paul Valandra | 1953– | Rosebud Lakota | Democratic | State representative (1991–2000), State senator (2001–2006) | |
Tom Van Norman | 1964– | Cheyenne River Sioux | Democratic | State representative (2000–2008) [78] | |
Ron J. Volesky | 1954– | Hunkpapa [79] | Republican | State representative (1981–1986, 1993–2000), State senator (2001–2002) | |
Democratic | |||||
Bruce Whalen | Oglala Sioux | Republican | Oglala Sioux tribal administrator, former chair of the Oglala Lakota County Republican Party and nominee for South Dakota's at-large congressional district in 2006 | ||
Name | Image | Life | Ethnicity or tribe | Party | Offices held |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bryan Terry | 1968– | Choctaw Nation | Republican | State representative (2015–present) |
Name | Image | Life | Ethnicity or tribe | Party | Offices held |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Angela Romero | Assiniboine | Democratic | State representative (2013–present) |
Name | Image | Life | Ethnicity or tribe | Party | Offices held |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
George Adams | 1880–1954 | Skokomish | Democratic | State representative (1933–1939), (1945–1954) | |
W. Ron Allen | 1947— | S'Klallam | Tribal Chairmen (1977-present), NCAI treasurer and president, | ||
Don Barlow | 1938–2016 | Ottawa | Democratic | State representative (2007–2009) | |
William Bishop | 1861–1934 | Snohomish | Republican | State senator (1919–1927), (1933–1934), State representative (1899–1903), (1905–1907), (1909–1911), (1917–1919) | |
Jim Dunn | 1942– | Inuit | Republican | State representative (1997–2003), (2005–2009) | |
Claudia Kauffman | 1959– | Nez Perce | Democratic | State senator (2007–2011) | |
Debra Lekanoff | 1971– | Tlingit | Democratic | State representative (2019–) | |
John McCoy | 1943– | Tulalip | Democratic | State senator (2013–2020), State representative (2003–2013) | |
Jeff Morris | 1964– | Tsimshian | Democratic | State representative (1997–2020) | |
Chief George Pierre | 1926–2011 | Colville | Democratic | State representative (1965–1967) | |
Jay Rodne | 1966– | Bad River Ojibwe | Republican | State representative (2004–2019) | |
Dino Rossi | 1959– | Tlingit | Republican | State senator (1997–2003, 2012, 2017); 2004 and 2008 Republican nominee for Governor | |
Chris Stearns | Navajo Nation | Democratic | State senator (1985–1993), State representative (2022- ) | ||
Lois Stratton | 1927–2020 | Spokane | Democratic | State senator (1985–1993), State representative (1980–1985) | |
John Tennant | 1830–1893 | Quapaw | Territorial representative (1858–1860) |
Name | Image | Life | Ethnicity or tribe | Party | Offices held |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
W. Patrick Goggles | 1952– | Arapaho | Democratic | State representative (2004–2015) | |
Affie Ellis | 1979/1980– | Navajo | Republican | State senator (2017–present) | |
Andi LeBeau | Arapaho | Democratic | State representative (2019–2023) | ||
Scott Ratliff | 1943– | Eastern Shoshone | Democratic | State representative (1980–1992) [76] |
A code talker was a person employed by the military during wartime to use a little-known language as a means of secret communication. The term is most often used for United States service members during the World Wars who used their knowledge of Native American languages as a basis to transmit coded messages. In particular, there were approximately 400 to 500 Native Americans in the United States Marine Corps whose primary job was to transmit secret tactical messages. Code talkers transmitted messages over military telephone or radio communications nets using formally or informally developed codes built upon their Indigenous languages. The code talkers improved the speed of encryption and decryption of communications in front line operations during World War II and are credited with a number of decisive victories. Their code was never broken.
Gallup ; Zuni: Kalabwaki) is a city in McKinley County, New Mexico, United States, with a population of 21,899 as of the 2020 census. A substantial percentage of its population is Native American, with residents from the Navajo, Hopi, and Zuni tribes. Gallup is the county seat of McKinley County and the most populous city between Flagstaff and Albuquerque, along historic U.S. Route 66.
Farmington is a city in San Juan County in the U.S. state of New Mexico. As of the 2020 census, the city had a population of 46,624 people. Farmington makes up one of the four metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) in New Mexico.
The Navajo Nation, also known as Navajoland, is a Native American reservation of Navajo people in the United States. It occupies portions of northeastern Arizona, northwestern New Mexico, and southeastern Utah. The seat of government is located in Window Rock, Arizona.
Non-voting members of the United States House of Representatives are representatives of their territory in the House of Representatives, who do not have a right to vote on legislation in the full House but nevertheless have floor privileges and are able to participate in certain other House functions. Non-voting members may vote in a House committee of which they are a member and introduce legislation.
Blood quantum laws or Indian blood laws are laws in the United States that define Native American status by fractions of Native American ancestry. These laws were enacted by the federal government and state governments as a way to establish legally defined racial population groups. By contrast, many tribes do not include blood quantum as part of their own enrollment criteria.
State-recognized tribes in the United States are organizations that identify as Native American tribes or heritage groups that do not meet the criteria for federally recognized Indian tribes but have been recognized by a process established under assorted state government laws for varying purposes or by governor's executive orders. State recognition does not dictate whether or not they are recognized as Native American tribes by continually existing tribal nations.
The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma is a Native American reservation occupying portions of southeastern Oklahoma in the United States. At roughly 6,952,960 acres, it is the second-largest reservation in area after the Navajo, exceeding that of eight U.S. states. The seat of government is located in Durant, Oklahoma.
Nambé Oweenge Pueblo is a census-designated place (CDP) in Santa Fe County, New Mexico, and is also a federally recognized tribe of Native American Pueblo people.
The Zuni Indian Reservation, also known as Pueblo of Zuni, is the homeland of the Zuni tribe of Native Americans. In Zuni language, the Zuni Pueblo people are referred to as A:shiwi, and the Zuni homeland is referred to as Halona Idiwan’a meaning Middle Place.
Ben Ray Luján is an American politician who has served as the junior United States senator from New Mexico since 2021. He served as the U.S. representative for New Mexico's 3rd congressional district from 2009 to 2021 and as Assistant Speaker from 2019 to 2021. He served as a member of the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission from 2005 to 2008, where he also served as chairman.
The Bureau of Indian Education (BIE), headquartered in the Main Interior Building in Washington, D.C., and formerly known as the Office of Indian Education Programs (OIEP), is a division of the U.S. Department of the Interior under the Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs. It is responsible for the line direction and management of all BIE education functions, including the formation of policies and procedures, the supervision of all program activities, and the approval of the expenditure of funds appropriated for BIE education functions.
Georgene Louis is an American attorney and politician who served as a member of the New Mexico House of Representatives for the 26th district from 2013 to 2023.
Harry James Watson "Jimmy" Belvin was a Native American educator who served as an Oklahoma State Representative and Senator. He was the first elected principal chief of any of the Five Civilized Tribes in the 20th century, and the longest serving principal chief of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. He saw his tribe through termination, restoration, and a rebirth of Native Pride. He was a polarizing leader, seen by some as a semi-dictator who held onto the office of principal chief and used his power to advocate for complete assimilation into the dominant society, suppressing Choctaw traditions, language and ceremonial practices as undesirable remnants of an unrefined history. To others, he was a well-liked, populist leader, who went door-to-door talking with tribe members, informing them on issues, and trying to develop the means the alleviate the poverty and unemployment they faced.
Debra Anne Haaland is an American politician serving as the 54th United States Secretary of the Interior. A member of the Democratic Party, she previously served as the U.S. representative for New Mexico's 1st congressional district from 2019 to 2021 and as chair of the New Mexico Democratic Party from 2015 to 2017. Haaland is a Native American and is an enrolled member of the Laguna Pueblo tribe.
The 2022 United States House of Representatives elections in New Mexico were held on November 8, 2022, to elect the three U.S. representatives from the state of New Mexico, one from each of the state's three congressional districts. The elections coincided with the New Mexico gubernatorial election and various state and local elections. The Democratic party gained the 2nd Congressional seat, gaining unitary control of New Mexico's Congressional delegation for the first time since 2018 and improving the advantage in the House delegation for New Mexico from 2–1 in favor of Democrats to 3–0.
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Native American tribes and tribal communities has been severe and has emphasized underlying inequalities in Native American communities compared to the majority of the American population. The pandemic exacerbated existing healthcare and other economic and social disparities between Native Americans and other racial and ethnic groups in the United States. Along with black Americans, Latinos, and Pacific Islanders, the death rate in Native Americans due to COVID-19 was twice that of white and Asian Americans, with Native Americans having the highest mortality rate of all racial and ethnic groups nationwide. As of January 5, 2021, the mortality impact in Native American populations from COVID-19 was 1 in 595 or 168.4 deaths in 100,000, compared to 1 in 1,030 for white Americans and 1 in 1,670 for Asian Americans. Prior to the pandemic, Native Americans were already at a higher risk for infectious disease and mortality than any other group in the United States.
The Cherokee delegate to the United States House of Representatives is an office established via the Treaty of New Echota in 1835. The office was intended to represent the Cherokee people and was instrumental in negotiations of land transfer and sovereignty in the Treaty. The office went vacant until 2019, with the appointment of Kimberly Teehee of the Cherokee Nation. Teehee and tribal leadership attempted to get her seated in the 116th and 117th United States Congresses. In 2021, the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians designated their own delegate, lawyer Victoria Holland.
Lowery and Graham are both Lumbees, the largest Native American tribe east of the Mississippi River.
Sutton, a member of the Lumbee tribe and the only Native American in the legislature at the time, said that for American Indians the notation was important in establishing their identity and preventing confusion about their background.
Frix and Brecheen are both members of the Choctaw Nation but took different stances on the U.S. Supreme Court decision in McGirt v. Oklahoma, which has led to six tribal reservations being affirmed since 2020.