These are the problems you're not hearing enough about.
Most of the recent headlines about indigenous Americans have had to do with a certain D.C. football team, or a surpassingly dumb Adam Sandler movie, or casinos of the kind operated by the fictional Ugaya tribe on "House of Cards." And we're not saying these issues don't matter. But beyond the slot machines, the movie sets and the football fields, there are other problems facing Native communities -- insidious, systemic, life-or-death problems; the kinds of problems it takes years and votes and marches to resolve -- that aren't getting nearly as much attention.
There are 567 tribes, including 229 Alaska Native communities, currently recognized by the federal government. The Bureau of Indian Affairs -- the primary federal agency in charge of relations with indigenous communities -- is also considering extending federal status to Native Hawaiians.
Each of the federally recognized tribes is a nation unto itself -- sovereign, self-determining and self-governing -- that maintains a government-to-government relationship with the United States. In addition, the rights of all indigenous peoples, including Native Hawaiians, have been affirmed in a 2007 United Nations declaration. Each indigenous nation has a distinct history, language and culture. While many face concerns that are specific to their government, state, or region, there are certain issues that affect all Native communities throughout the United States -- from Hawaii to Maine, and Alaska to Florida. Here are 13 such issues that you probably aren't hearing enough about.
Native Americans face issues of mass incarceration and policing.
Native communities are often impoverished and jobless.
The federal government is still stripping Native people of their land.
Exploitation of natural resources threatens Native communities.
Violence against women and children is especially prevalent in Native communities.
The education system is failing Native students.
Native families live in overcrowded, poor-quality housing.
Native patients receive inadequate health care.
There's a dearth of capital and financial institutions in Native communities.
Native Americans have the right to vote... but that's not always enough.
There is an epidemic of youth suicide in Native communities.
Native languages are dying, and the U.S. government is doing little to help.
Many Native communities do not have their rights recognized by the federal government.
DETAILS: 13 Issues Facing Native People Beyond Mascots And Casinos
This article corrects many of the wrongful stereotypes about today's Native American life.