- Native Americans get special privileges, including a monthly check, from the U.S. government. False:According to the U.S. Department of Interior, there has long been a myth that Indians receive a monthly check from the U.S. Government because of their status as Indians. There is no basis for this belief other than misinformation and misconception of the status of American Indians. Some tribes,? tribal members and lineal descendants received payments from the Federal Government resulting from claims settlements. But there are very few judgment funds per capita payments that remain today. Some tribes distribute payments to enrolled members upon the sale of tribal assets such as timber, hydroelectric power or oil and gas. Many tribes do not have natural resources or other revenue sources.
- Native Americans do not pay U.S. taxes. False: American Indians, even those who receive a per capita payment from proceeds of tribally owned casinos, pay U.S. income tax to the IRS.
- Native Americans are rich from gambling revenues. False: Nearly 25 percent of Native Americans live below the U.S. poverty level. Tribes that owned casinos use proceeds to fund tribal schools, medical clinics, roads, elder care, child care, college scholarships, etc. and/or distribute proceeds among tribe members through per capita payments.
- Native American tribes are not subject to U.S. law. False:Federally recognized Native American tribes are “domestic dependent nations” with certain inherent powers of self-government and entitlement to certain federal benefits, services and protections because of the special trust relationship.
- Sporting teams honor Native Americans by using cultural symbols for names and mascots. False:The United Methodist Church joined numerous Native American organizations in protesting this practice when the 2000 General Conference adopted resolution No. 141 stating such “caricature…does demean and diminish Native Americans by denying them recognition as human beings in the [teams’]… use and abuse for economic profits.”
- All Native Americans live on reservations. False:Only 34 percent of Native Americans lived on reservations or designated statistical areas in 2000.
- American Indians are a dying race. False:The Native American population is increasing and the many tribal cultures and languages are alive.
- Native Americans all have the same culture. False:There are 561 federally recognized Native American tribes and nations, each with its own culture, language and stories.
- Native Americans are not full citizens of the United States because they belong to their own sovereign nations. False:On June 2, 1924, President Calvin Coolidge signed a bill granting Native Americans full citizenship.
- The Native American population is decreasing. False: Native Americans are growing in number and their many cultures, languages and stories are alive.
(Source: gbgm-umc.org, via cheamolar)
