Documentries

Blood Quantum is a term used to describe the system of measuring Indigenous ancestry by quantifying the proportion of “Indian blood” a person has. Introduced by colonial governments and remains a controversial topic in discussions about Indigenous identity, tribal enrollment, and sovereignty.

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Blood Quantum and Identity

• This documentary explores the impact of blood quantum on Native American identity, highlighting personal stories of discrimination, cultural connection, and tribal enrollment challenges. It examines how colonial policies continue to shape Indigenous identity and raise concerns about future generations. Through powerful interviews, the film emphasizes that being Native is more than just a number—it’s about culture, history, and self-identity.

Blood quantum, Indigenous identity

• This documentary explores the evolving discussion around blood quantum and tribal enrollment, focusing on its impact on Native identity and the future of Indigenous communities. It highlights the challenges younger generations face, particularly Alaska Natives navigating identity through tribal, village, or corporate affiliations. Experts and tribal leaders discuss potential solutions, including shifting to lineal descent and redefining citizenship criteria. Through interviews and analysis, the film examines the complex relationship between ancestry, sovereignty, and cultural preservation in Native communities today.

What is blood quantum?

• This documentary provides a clear and concise overview of blood quantum, its history, and its impact on Native American communities. It explains how blood quantum, a colonial construct, was imposed to limit Native rights and continues to influence tribal citizenship today. The film explores the controversy surrounding blood quantum, highlighting concerns about cultural survival, resource distribution, and the arbitrary nature of its calculations. Ultimately, it emphasizes tribal sovereignty and the ongoing discussions within Native nations about redefining identity and membership for future generations.

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The Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and People (MMIWP) crisis is a deeply troubling issue rooted in historical and systemic injustices. Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirit individuals face significantly higher rates of violence, disappearances, and murder compared to other populations, often with little to no media attention or law enforcement response. This crisis is driven by factors such as colonial policies, systemic racism, jurisdictional gaps, and a lack of accountability within legal and government institutions. Families and communities continue to demand justice, raising awareness through activism, advocacy, and legislation aimed at addressing these urgent human rights violations. The MMIWP movement seeks not only to honor the lives lost but also to push for meaningful change to protect Indigenous communities from further harm.

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Gone Without Trace: Canada’s Missing Indigenous Women

• This documentary sheds light on the crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) in Canada, focusing on the cases of Amber Gabash, Claudette Osborne-Tayo, and Vanessa Briere. Through emotional interviews with family members, law enforcement, and advocates, it explores systemic neglect, intergenerational trauma, and the dangers Indigenous women face. The film highlights community efforts for justice, emphasizing the urgent need for awareness, policy changes, and protection of Indigenous women and girls.

Vanished: America’s Missing Indigenous Women | Unreported World

• This documentary highlights the ongoing crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) in the United States, focusing on the disappearance of Susan Fast Eagle and the systemic failures that leave Native women vulnerable. Private investigator Lissa Yellowbird-Chase, alongside other advocates, searches for Susan while exposing jurisdictional gaps, racial biases in law enforcement, and the dangers of human trafficking. Through emotional interviews with family members, law enforcement, and survivors, the film underscores the urgent need for policy changes, better investigative efforts, and community-led initiatives to protect Indigenous women and ensure justice for the missing.

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Member enrollment is the process by which individuals gain official recognition as members of a Native American tribe or nation. It is a key aspect of tribal sovereignty, allowing tribes to define their own membership criteria based on ancestry, blood quantum, or community ties. Enrollment determines access to tribal governance, cultural participation, and benefits such as education, healthcare, and financial assistance. While some tribes use historical records like the Dawes Rolls, others prioritize lineage and cultural involvement. Controversies arise over strict membership rules, declining enrollment, and fraudulent claims. These policies shape the identity, governance, and future of tribal nations.

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Citizen Indigenous || Radcliffe Institute

• This video, hosted at the Radcliffe Institute at Harvard University, explores the complexities of Native American tribal enrollment and citizenship. Featuring distinguished panelists, including scholars and tribal leaders, the discussion focuses on the history, legal frameworks, and future of blood quantum policies and their impact on tribal sovereignty. The speakers, representing different Native nations, share personal stories and historical contexts to highlight the challenges of defining tribal membership. They also examine the role of self-determination in shaping tribal identity, community engagement, and the broader political implications of Native citizenship.

ICFRC: The Indian Card: America’s Native Identity Problem

• The Iowa City Foreign Relations Council hosted a talk by Professor Kerry Shoop-Peltz on tribal enrollment and Native identity. She discussed the historical and contemporary implications of blood quantum policies, self-identification trends in the U.S. Census, and the challenges of tribal membership. The presentation explored the intersection of Native sovereignty, identity politics, and federal recognition. A Q&A session followed, addressing audience questions on lineage, land rights, and Indigenous identity in the U.S. and beyond.

Cherokee Almanac: The Dawes Commission

• The Dawes Act of 1887 drastically altered the Cherokee Nation’s land ownership, forcing individual allotments and opening surplus land to non-Native settlers. The Dawes Commission began enrolling Cherokee citizens in 1896, assigning each a parcel of land while breaking up tribal territories. Many Cherokee lost their land due to forced sales or tax-related seizures. By 1907, enrollment had closed, and the final Dawes Rolls became the foundation for Cherokee Nation citizenship, with all modern citizens tracing their ancestry to these records.

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Revitalizing the language refers to dedicated efforts to preserve, restore, and promote the use of Indigenous languages that have been endangered or lost due to centuries of colonization, forced assimilation, and cultural suppression. These initiatives include language immersion programs, community-led education, digital tools, and legislative advocacy aimed at strengthening linguistic heritage. Language revitalization is vital for maintaining cultural identity, historical continuity, and inter generational knowledge transfer within Native American communities. It also fosters a sense of sovereignty and self-determination by reclaiming linguistic traditions that were systematically eroded. Through education, storytelling, and technology, Indigenous languages are being actively revitalized, ensuring their survival for future generations.

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Lindsay Morcom: A history of Indigenous languages — and how to revitalize them | TED

• This talk highlights the importance of revitalizing Indigenous languages as a way to preserve culture, identity, and history. The speaker shares how colonization and residential schools contributed to language loss and explains the unique structure of Anishinaabemowin. She emphasizes the need for education, policy changes, and community support to keep these languages alive. True reconciliation, she argues, means ensuring Indigenous languages are passed down for future generations.

Reviving Native Languages – A Ho-Chunk Story

• This video highlights the efforts to revitalize the Ho-Chunk language and culture, which were severely impacted by historical assimilation policies and boarding schools. Speakers share their experiences of growing up disconnected from their native language and the importance of reclaiming it for future generations. The Ho-Chunk Nation has developed language programs in schools, community initiatives, online dictionaries, and language apps to make learning accessible. Elders play a crucial role in passing down knowledge, ensuring that language, culture, and identity remain intertwined. The video emphasizes the importance of language preservation in maintaining Ho-Chunk heritage and strengthening Indigenous identity.

Rising Voices / Hótȟaŋiŋpi – Revitalizing the Lakota Language

• This documentary, Rising Voices, explores the struggle to preserve the Lakota language, a vital part of Lakota identity and culture. It highlights the impact of U.S. government policies, including forced assimilation and boarding schools, which nearly eradicated the language. The film follows community members, educators, and linguists working to revitalize Lakota through immersion schools, language programs, and digital resources. It showcases the deep connection between language, culture, and identity while addressing the challenges of revitalization amid economic struggles. Despite obstacles, the Lakota people remain committed to reclaiming their language and ensuring its survival for future generations.

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refers to the large-scale clearing of forests and its impact on Native peoples, their lands, and their traditional ways of life. For many Indigenous groups, forests are not only homes but also spiritual, cultural, and economic foundations. Deforestation poses existential threats to these communities.

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