Tribalism

Tribalism is a defining characteristic of Indigenous American societies. Stress is placed on the concept of the oneness and distinctiveness of ancestry, kinship, language, and culture shared by a tribe or group of people. This can be illustrated by the ubiquity of Indigenous tribes throughout history, whose names for themselves translate as “the people” or “the real people,” while their names for outside tribes or groups are often dismissive if not pejorative.

Many Americans may not be familiar with the diverse nature of Indigenous American tribes. Many of their perceptions may be informed by stereotypes, caricatures, or renditions in popular media. In the 2020s, the US government formally recognized 574 North American tribes or Nations. Each nation is culturally unique, with its engagement with the outside world shaped by its own historical experiences. Among these communities, approximately 170 different languages are spoken. Nonetheless, all but two are projected to be extinct by 2050. The highest concentration of tribes is in Alaska, with 229. California is second with 109. In terms of territory, the Navajo Nation, with members in Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah, inhabits a territory roughly the size of West Virginia.

Tribalism emphasizes group good, which means that an individual’s responsibility to the community is always more important than any individual’s rights or privileges. In tribal societies, achieving and maintaining harmony within the group is an overriding concern. In order to achieve harmony, virtues such as respect and generosity are stressed. As a tribal ethic, generosity means sharing all that a person has or possesses with others who are in need. The goal of an individual is not to accumulate items, but to provide for others by distributing acquired goods. In this way, the welfare of the group is preserved.

Tribalism, with its stress on group good, is often in opposition to basic principles in American society that stress individual rights and freedoms, and as a result, tribal groups are often at odds with federal legislation and policies. For example, many tribes view the American Indian Civil Rights Act (1968) as an abridgment of tribal rights and obligations because it emphasizes individual rights and freedoms.

Bibliography

Black, Jason Edward. American Indians and the Rhetoric of Removal and Allotment. UP of Mississippi, 2015.

Cyca, Michelle. "9 Facts about Native American Tribes." History.com, www.history.com/news/native-american-tribes-facts. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.

French, Laurence Armand. Legislating Indian Country: Significant Milestones in Transforming Tribalism. Lang, 2007.

McNickle, D'Arcy. Native American Tribalism: Indian Survivals and Renewals. 1973. Oxford UP, 1993.

Rusco, Elmer R. A Fateful Time: The Background and Legislative History of the Indian Reorganization Act. U of Nevada P, 2000.

Schwartz, Mainon A. “The 574 Federally Recognized Indian Tribes in the United States.” Congress.gov, 18 Jan. 2024, www.congress.gov/crs-product/R47414. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.

Smith, Talmon Joseph. "With $32 Billion in Aid, Native Americans Push against History of Neglect." The New York Times, 15 Oct. 2024, www.nytimes.com/2024/10/15/business/economy/native-american-tribal-lands-federal-aid.html. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.

Wilkins, David E., and Heidi Kiiwetinepinesiik Stark. American Indian Politics and the American Political System. 3rd ed., Rowman, 2011.