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Native Americans
From Bloomingpedia
Native Americans (also American Indians or First Nations peoples) are citizens of the indigenous nations of North America which predate the arrival of Europeans. Today, being American Indian is often popularly considered a racial identity, but individual American Indians are legally citizens of their tribes. For most American Indians, tribal citizenship--rather than a vague "American Indian" identity--is of primary importance. Individual tribes have distinct religions, languages, and ways of life. Criteria for tribal citizenship vary from tribe to tribe. American Indians face a number of challenges related to preserving their national identities while facing the changes which all cultures face. In addition, a history of legal discrimination (for instance, until 1978, the practice of American Indian religions was illegal in the U.S.) creates obstacles different from those faced by other ethnic minorities in the U.S.
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American Indians in Monroe County Today
The 2006 census reported that 376 Monroe County residents identify solely as American Indian. Because of the high rate of racial mixture among tribal citizens, this number is problematic. Many American Indians identify as multiracial even as they retain tribal citizenship. Some of these residents are citizens of tribes with historic homelands in the area--such as the Miami and the Potawatomi--while others are citizens of tribes without historical homelands in the area.
First Nations Educational & Cultural Center
American Indian graduate students at Indiana University launched an initiative to create an American Indian cultural center to serve as a bridge between American Indian students and community members. Their efforts were partly successful, and in April 2007, the First Nations Educational and Cultural Center (FNECC) opened in two former dorm rooms in Eigenmann Hall. However, the university has not committed to providing a house-type structure or a full-time staff person to the center. Despite these challenges, FNECC offers a variety of popular programs, including the annual Native Film Series which brings internationally known indigenous filmmakers to Bloomington.
Piankeshaw Trails Educational Park
Piankeshaw Trails Educational Park, located 10 miles west of Bloomington in Greene County, marks the site of a mid-eighteenth century village of the Piankeshaw people.
