Native American Issues

The COVID-19 pandemic has reached Indian Country, with a reported 17,089 cases as of June 20, 2020, according to Indian Health Services. That's more cases than in many nations, and an ongoing housing crisis—with multiple families often sharing one roof—is fanning the flames of an already highly contagious virus, laying bare the impact housing has on our health.

The US census collects valuable information that helps determine how many services and how much funding various demographic groups receive. Unfortunately, Native Americans have been historically undercounted. Shandiin Herrera calls for Native youth to get involved.

As Native Youth address the most pressing issues in their communities, they continue to affirm the resilience and strength of indigenous people and their communities.

Explained through the voices of Native people themselves, Uprooted sheds a much-needed light on how the policies of the 1950s continue to impact our communities today.

This glossary should be a primer for anyone — in policy, media, or simply general conversation — who wishes to discuss the issues facing Native populations today.

Our annual State of Native Youth report highlights young leaders who are working hard to create this brighter future for tribal nations. The report shares what we’ve learned from our online national Native youth survey, and from community meetings with youth and service providers, about the priorities and solutions that matter most to our Native youth stakeholders.

The theme of this year’s report is Native Youth Count. Throughout this year’s report, we highlight the importance of Native youth civic engagement and belonging. We also feature artwork throughout the report that was submitted as part of the annual Gen-I Creative Native Call for Art. This year’s prompt was: What does citizenship and sense of belonging mean to you?

From Alaska to Connecticut to Washington, they've advocated for issues like including improving child welfare systems, decolonizing education standards, and supporting victims of sexual assault.

Aspen Institute President and CEO Dan Porterfield delivered welcoming remarks at an event organized by the Center for Native American Youth.

Aspen Institute President and CEO Dan Porterfield spoke at the Center for Native American Youth’s 2018 State of Native Youth Report release event on November 16.