Honor Indigenous Sovereignty

A just nation does not dictate the fate of others—it respects their right to self-govern. Yet for centuries, Indigenous peoples have been stripped of land, rights, and autonomy. Broken treaties and forced policies have denied them what is rightfully theirs: the power to govern their own communities. This must end.

The solution is clear: Recognize and uphold Indigenous sovereignty. Land back, treaty enforcement, and full self-determination must be more than promises—they must be policy. Indigenous nations must have control over their lands, resources, and futures, free from outside interference.

This is not charity—it is justice. Indigenous governance is not a relic of the past but a model for the future—rooted in sustainability, resilience, and deep connection to the land. A stronger nation is one that lifts all its peoples, not just those in power.

Action must follow principle. Support Indigenous leadership. Defend land and water rights. Demand policies that uphold treaties, not erase them. Stand in solidarity, not silence.

Justice delayed is justice denied. Indigenous sovereignty is not a debate—it is a right. The time to honor it is now.

Key Stats

1. Staggering Land Loss: Indigenous peoples in the United States now control less than 3% of their ancestral lands—a dramatic loss from historical holdings that underscores centuries of forced dispossession and broken treaties.

2. Widespread Treaty Violations: Over 500 treaties were signed between Indigenous nations and the U.S. government, yet research shows that more than 80% of these agreements have been violated or remain unfulfilled, revealing a long history of unkept promises.

3. Economic Marginalization: Indigenous communities face poverty rates that are 2–3 times higher than the national average, a disparity rooted in historical land theft and systemic exclusion from economic opportunities.

4. Environmental Injustice: Studies indicate that Native American communities are up to 30 times more likely to suffer from contaminated water supplies and environmental hazards than non-Indigenous populations, reflecting ongoing neglect of their right to a healthy, sustainable environment.

5. Growing Public Support: Polls consistently show that over 60% of Americans support efforts to restore Indigenous land rights and enforce treaties, indicating broad public recognition that honoring Indigenous sovereignty is essential for a just and equitable society.

Our Allies

1. National Congress of American Indians (NCAI)
   As one of the largest and oldest national organizations of Native governments, NCAI advocates for tribal self-governance, treaty rights, and policies that empower Indigenous communities to determine their own futures.

2. Native American Rights Fund (NARF)
   NARF provides legal representation and advocacy for Indigenous peoples, defending treaty rights, land claims, and sovereignty through litigation and policy work.

3. Indian Law Resource Center (ILRC)
   Focused on advancing Native legal rights, ILRC supports tribal self-determination by providing legal resources, advocacy, and education to Indigenous communities facing challenges to their sovereignty.

4. Indigenous Environmental Network (IEN)
   IEN champions environmental justice and Indigenous rights, linking struggles for land, water, and cultural survival with broader efforts to honor Indigenous sovereignty and self-governance.

5. Association on American Indian Affairs (AAIA)
   AAIA advocates for policy reforms that honor treaty obligations and Indigenous self-determination, working to ensure that Native voices are central in decisions affecting their communities and lands.

10 Steps

1. Conduct a Comprehensive Treaty and Policy Audit
   Leverage resources from the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI), and academic research to systematically document all federal treaties, policies, and historical agreements affecting Indigenous nations. For example, over 500 treaties were signed with Native nations, yet many remain partially enforced or outright violated. This audit will provide a robust, evidence-driven baseline to identify legal breaches and policy gaps that impede self-governance.

2. Build a Multi-Stakeholder Indigenous Coalition
   Assemble a coalition that includes Indigenous nations, tribal councils, legal experts, cultural organizations, and allied advocacy groups. Drawing on frameworks from the Indigenous Environmental Network and other global Indigenous alliances, convene an inaugural summit with representatives from at least 50 tribes and partner organizations across different regions. This unified coalition will consolidate resources, share best practices, and amplify a collective call for the enforcement of treaty rights and land restoration.

3. Develop a Detailed Legislative and Policy Agenda
   Craft a legislative blueprint that mandates treaty enforcement, initiates “Land Back” programs, and secures full self-determination for Indigenous communities. Incorporate specific benchmarks—such as restoring control of at least 20% of historically occupied lands within five years and establishing legal frameworks to guarantee tribal governance in resource management. This agenda, informed by studies from the Harvard Project on American Indian Economic Development, will offer a concrete roadmap for policymakers.

4. Launch a Data-Driven Public Awareness Campaign
   Utilize compelling statistics and personal narratives to reshape public understanding of Indigenous sovereignty. For instance, research indicates that Indigenous-led governance models achieve significantly higher sustainability and community health outcomes. Deploy a multi-platform media strategy—using social media, documentary short films, and community town halls—with targets like reaching 2 million impressions and engaging key demographic groups. This campaign will transform abstract policy debates into relatable stories of resilience and cultural pride.

5. Implement Targeted Lobbying and Policy Advocacy
   Organize strategic meetings and policy briefings with federal and state legislators, focusing on areas with high Indigenous populations. Present the legislative agenda alongside data showing that honoring treaties and restoring lands can improve environmental outcomes and bolster local economies—for example, studies reveal that Indigenous-managed lands in the U.S. maintain up to 80% more biodiversity than surrounding areas. Aim to secure commitments from at least 25 influential policymakers to champion these reforms.

6. Mobilize Grassroots and Community Action
   Coordinate with local Indigenous organizations and allied groups to organize protests, cultural festivals, and digital advocacy campaigns. Distribute comprehensive toolkits—including petition templates, social media assets, and guidelines for contacting representatives—to empower community members. Set measurable goals, such as increasing grassroots mobilization events by 40% over the next year, ensuring sustained public pressure for Indigenous rights.

7. Establish a Legal Defense and Rapid Response Team
   Form a dedicated legal unit drawing on expertise from organizations such as the Native American Rights Fund and local tribal legal departments. This team will be prepared to challenge land encroachments, enforce treaty obligations, and address violations of Indigenous rights in federal and state courts—with a targeted response time of 48 hours for urgent cases. Historical evidence shows that swift legal interventions can deter further violations and secure landmark rulings that reinforce sovereignty.

8. Implement Robust Monitoring and Accountability Mechanisms
   Create an independent oversight board composed of tribal leaders, legal scholars, and government watchdogs to monitor the implementation of treaty provisions and policy reforms. Develop a publicly accessible dashboard—updated quarterly—with key performance indicators such as the number of restored lands, treaty compliance rates, and progress in Indigenous governance. Drawing on models from the Government Accountability Office (GAO), these mechanisms will ensure continuous accountability and transparency.

9. Engage in Strategic Electoral and Political Participation
   Identify and support political candidates with a proven record of advocating for Indigenous rights. Organize targeted voter registration drives in tribal regions, aiming to register thousands of new voters. Utilize data from organizations like the Center for American Indian Research to focus on swing districts where Indigenous issues can shift political priorities. This strategy will help reshape policy from the grassroots up, ensuring that Indigenous voices are powerfully represented in every election cycle.

10. Institutionalize Indigenous Sovereignty in Long-Term Policy
    Partner with universities, think tanks, and intergovernmental organizations to develop standardized training programs, policy manuals, and academic courses on Indigenous governance. Establish permanent commissions—such as a National Indigenous Policy Commission—to regularly review and update policies affecting tribal lands and self-determination. Commission longitudinal studies every two years to assess impacts on community well-being, environmental sustainability, and cultural preservation, thereby embedding Indigenous sovereignty as a permanent pillar of national policy.