Native America Calling: Tribal Leadership discuss citizenship and identity

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Wednesday, November 2, 2022

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Tribal Leadership: citizenship and identity

Citizenship is one of the keystones of sovereignty for every tribe.

And it’s absolute: you’re either a tribal citizen through lineal descendancy, blood quantum, or another agreed-up measurement, or you’re not. But Native identity sometimes extends beyond citizenship and there’s little agreement about those boundaries.

Wednesday on Native America Calling, at a time of increasing scrutiny of those who claim — and build careers on — Native identity, Shawn Spruce gets the perspectives from tribal leaders on what makes identity and why it’s so important to get it right.

Guests on Native America Calling

Cathy Chavers, chairwoman of the Bois Forte Band of Chippewa Indians and the president of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe

Dr. Aaron Payment, former chairman of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians

Nathan McCowan (Tlingit and Haida), president and CEO of St. George Tanaq Corporation

Patt Iron Cloud AKA “GrandmaPatt”, councilwoman for the Fort Peck Tribes

Harold “Buster” Hatcher, chief of the Waccamaw Indian People.