Broadening the Meaning of Citizenship Education: Native Americans and Tribal Nationhood

Abstract

The reality of tribal nationhood and the dual citizenship that Native Americans carry in their tribal nations and the United States significantly expands the definition and parameters of citizen education. Citizenship education means including and understanding the historical and political contexts of all U.S. citizens—especially, those indigenous to this land. Schools and teachers have the responsibility for students' exposure to and understanding of the complexity of the United States' politically situated past and present relationship with and obligations to tribal nations and their citizens. I contend that if the historical and contemporary context of Native American citizenship is not addressed in schools' citizenship education, then that is evidence of ongoing colonization and practice of cultural imperialism.