Native American Citizenship Day

Native American Citizenship Day is an American holiday dedicated to Native Americans. These are members of the Native American culture that flourished on American lands before their conquest by European settlers. The holiday is observed annually on June 15.

History

Native Americans had been legal residents of the United States for a long time until the Age of Discovery, when thousands of European colonists arrived after Columbus (and later, Amerigo Vespucci) explored the American continent and initiated the colonization of the New World.

After the introduction of the U.S. Constitution, Native Americans who were not taxed were not recognized as full citizens of the country and were deprived of suffrage. In 1857, the Dred Scott Decision stated that Native Indians could not receive full citizenship rights because they were considered a separate people. The 14th Amendment, issued in 1868, reversed this decision, but no clear process for granting citizenship to Native Americans was established.

The official recognition of Native American citizenship began after the Civil War. The process intensified with the issuance of citizenship to WWI veterans of Indian descent. Later, the Indian Citizenship Act was passed, and in 1924 all Native Americans became full citizens of the United States.

Interesting Facts

• The largest population of Native Americans resides in California, with approximately 750,000 people.
• In 1888, citizenship was first granted to women of Indian descent who married U.S. citizens.

How to Celebrate

Greet people you know who have Native American ancestry. Watch documentaries about Native American culture and visit museums to learn more about their rich history and traditions.

Share information about the holiday on social media. Ask Native American users if their relatives, especially older generations, have experienced challenges in obtaining citizenship.

When is Native American Citizenship Day in 2025?

Native American Citizenship Day is observed on June 15 each year.

Observations