Native American Heritage

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Reference Reports on Native American Records in the National Archives

Native American genealogy in Federal records depends primarily upon the use of records created by the Office of Indian Affairs (later renamed the Bureau of Indian Affairs). These records relate to tribes officially recognized by the United States, including the Five Civilized Tribes (Cherokee, Choctaw, Chickasaw, Creek, and Seminoles) and other Native American nations involved in treaties or guardianship relationships with the Federal Government.

Native American Reference Reports describe research strategies for frequently used records relating to Native American genealogy, including a variety of census and enrollment rolls created by the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Bureau of the Census. Some reports also cover published government sources (including the American State Papers and the Official Register) about Indian agents, superintendents, and Native Americans employed by the Office of Indian Affairs in the Department of the Interior.

Click on the title to view a PDF version of the reference report. Note that many microfilm publications mentioned in these reports have been digitized by our partners, and the records will eventually be available in the National Archives Catalog . Please see the list of digitized records available on our partners' website for more information.

  • Native Americans in the Federal Decennial Censuses, 1790-1930
  • Published Government Sources Relating to Native Americans
  • Indian Agents and Superintendents 1849-1907
  • Native American Employees of the Bureau of Indian Affairs in the Official Register of the United States, 1849-1925
  • Native Americans in the Bureau of the Census Records, 1857-1907
  • The Cherokee Removal ("Trail of Tears"), 1836-1839
  • Eastern Cherokee Enrollments and Census Enumerations, 1835-1940
  • Chippewa Enumeration, 1885-1940
  • The Dawes Commission to the Five Civilized Tribes, 1893-1914
  • Records Relating to the Five Civilized Tribes at the National Archives at Fort Worth
  • Enumeration of Pueblo Indians, 1790-1939
  • Enumeration of Seminole Indians in Florida, 1880-1940
  • Enumeration of the Yakima Indians, 1880-1940

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2024 Native American Heritage Month

"I Am the Data, the Data Is Me"

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In the News

Building healthful indigenous futures: indigenous science, ways of knowing, and indigenous data sovereignty.

Presentation and Discussion with Dr. Gregory Cajete (Tewa, Santa Clara Pueblo)

In recognition of Native American Heritage Month, we are proud to announce the second of two upcoming events centered on Indigenous science, knowledge, and the evolving landscape of data sovereignty. Join us for these insightful sessions as we work together to build a future grounded in respect, self-determination, and cultural integrity for Indigenous data and health research.

“I am the data, the data is me!”: Centering Culture and Indigenist Ethics and Principles in Building an Indigenous Reference Genome

Panel Discussion with Dr. Alex Brown (Yuin/Djuwin Nation), Dr. Krystal Tsosie (Diné/Navajo Nation), and Dr. Phillip Wilcox (Ngāti Rakaipaaka, Rongomaiwahine)

In recognition of Native American Heritage Month, we are proud to announce the first of two upcoming events centered on Indigenous science, knowledge, and the evolving landscape of data sovereignty. Join us for these insightful sessions as we work together to build a future grounded in respect, self-determination, and cultural integrity for Indigenous data and health research.

Notice of Informational Webinar: Implementation Research for Multi-morbidity Management in the Context of Non-communicable Diseases in Low and Middle-Income Countries and US Tribal Populations (R01 Clinical Trial Optional; R61/R33 Clinical Trial Required)

The Fogarty International Center will host a pre-submission technical assistance webinar to inform potential applicants about two new Notices of Funding Opportunity (NOFOs) related to the Global Alliance for Chronic Diseases (GACD) program, that include US Tribal Populations.

Tribal Institutional Review Board Establishment and Enhancement (TIRBEE) Program Webinar

NIGMS will be hosting a preapplication webinar for our new Tribal IRB program, TIRBEE, on October 15th, at 3:00 – 4:30 EST. Please feel free to join us and share the invite with anyone in your network who might be interested.  The Tribal Institutional Review Board Establishment and Enhancement (TIRBEE) program (PAR-24-260) provides grants to support federally recognized Tribes, Tribal colleges and universities, Tribal health programs, or Tribal organizations to establish Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) or enhance the capacity of existing Tribal IRBs. 

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