The Conflict

Native Americans believe that they have been dislocated from their land by invaders—European colonizers—and demand independence for their nations. The U.S. government provides for limited independence within the context of the United States.

Political

• Native Americans believe they compose distinct nations who have not voluntarily joined the United States and should have sovereignty. They believe the United States has duplicitously broken treaties.
• Legal issues include forest management, mineral development, water rights, and reparations.
• The United States provides special rights, including limited autonomy, to Native Americans, which it does not provide to any other groups within the country.

Ethnic

• Ethnic discrimination has limited the achievements of Native Americans.

Economic

• Native Americans feel marginalized and impoverished by the United States and have been removed from valuable land.
• Native American organizations have...