Native American women have played significant roles in politics, both within theirtribal nations and in broader American political life. Their involvement spans from traditional governance systems to participation in local, state, and national levels of government in the United States. These contributions have been shaped by historical, cultural, and legal factors, particularly the intersection of Native sovereignty and U.S. political structures.
BeforeEuropean colonization of the United States, many Native American tribes practiced matriarchal oregalitarian governance systems where women held significant power indecision-making, clan leadership, andproperty rights.[1] In several tribes, such as theIroquois Confederacy, women played an influential role in political processes, including selecting leaders and making important tribal decisions.[1]
The arrival of European settlers disrupted these traditional structures through colonization,forced assimilation policies, and the establishment of the U.S. government's legal frameworks, which often excluded Native women from formal political participation.[2] Despite these challenges, Native American women continued to assert their influence within their communities and, over time, in the broader U.S. political system.[2]
In the early 20th century, Native American women became active in advocating for civil rights, including citizenship and voting rights.[3] TheIndian Citizenship Act of 1924 granted U.S. citizenship to Native Americans, but many states continued to deny Native people, including women, the right to vote until after the passage of theVoting Rights Act of 1965.[3] Native women likeZitkala-Ša pushed for greater rights.[4] Zitkala-Ša, aYankton Dakota Sioux writer and activist, co-founded theNational Council of American Indians in 1926, where she advocated for Native sovereignty, education reform, and women's rights.[4]
The mid-20th century saw a resurgence of Native American political activism, particularly during theAmerican Indian Movement (AIM) of the 1960s and 1970s.[5] Native women participated actively in these movements, calling attention to issues like treaty rights, land reclamation, and cultural preservation.[5] During this era, Native women also began to take on more prominent roles in national politics.[6] For example,LaDonna Harris, aComanche activist, founded Americans for Indian Opportunity (AIO) in 1970, which focused on advancing the political, economic, and cultural rights of Indigenous peoples.[6]Wilma Mankiller, a member of theCherokee Nation, rose to national prominence as the first femalechief of the Cherokee Nation, serving from 1985 to 1995.[7] Mankiller's leadership focused on self-governance, community development, and improving the status of women within the tribe.[7]
Native American women in federal and state politics
Native American women have increasingly held elected positions at the state and federal levels, representing a wide range of tribes and political perspectives.[8][9] In 1924,Cora Reynolds Anderson became the first Native American woman to secure a seat in a state legislature.[10]Sharice Davids, a member of theHo-Chunk Nation, andDeb Haaland, a member of theLaguna Pueblo, made history in 2018 when they became the first Native American women elected to the U.S. Congress.[8] Both Davids and Haaland emphasized issues of Native sovereignty, healthcare, and environmental protection during their campaigns.[9]
Activists for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) at the2018 Women's March in San Francisco
Native American women remain key figures in addressing a variety of political and social issues, including healthcare disparities,missing and murdered Indigenous women (MMIW), environmental protection, and tribal sovereignty.[18] Many Native women politicians and activists continue to highlight the unique challenges facing Native communities, particularly those living in rural and remote areas.[19] The MMIW movement has gained significant national attention, largely due to the efforts of Native women activists and lawmakers.[20] The issue of violence against Native women, exacerbated by legal complexities involving jurisdiction on tribal lands, has led to calls for legal reforms and increased federal support.[20]
Native American women face obstacles topolitical participation.[21] Structural inequalities, including the underfunding of Native communities, lack of access to education, and geographic isolation, pose significant challenges.[21] Native women often navigate complex dual political identities, balancing their roles within tribal governance systems and the broader U.S. political framework.[21]
Furthermore, political representation for Native American women remains limited, with few holding elected office compared to other demographic groups.[6] However, efforts to increase voter turnout in Native communities, improve representation in political bodies, and address the systemic barriers to participation are ongoing.[6]
^abRichter, Daniel K. (1992).The Ordeal of the Longhouse: The Peoples of the Iroquois League in the Era of European Colonization. UNC Press.ISBN978-0-8078-4394-9.
^abCahill, Cathleen D. (2011).Federal Fathers & Mothers: A Social History of the United States Indian Service, 1869-1933. Univ of North Carolina Press.ISBN978-0-8078-3472-5.
^abCharles, Michael.Native Voting Rights and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Native Governance Center.
^abSmith, Paul Chaat; Warrior, Robert Allen (1996).Like a Hurricane: The Indian Movement from Alcatraz to Wounded Knee. The New Press.ISBN978-1-56584-402-5.
^abcdeGibson, Arrell Morgan (1980).The American Indian: Prehistory to the Present. D. C. Heath.ISBN978-0-669-04493-5.
^abcMankiller, Wilma Pearl; Wallis, Michael (1993).Mankiller: A Chief and Her People. St. Martin's Press.ISBN978-0-312-09868-1.
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