Sat, 02 May 2026 23:29:51 +0000

Black Native Americans: A Hidden Legacy of Resilience and Identity When most people think of Native Americans, images often come to mind of Indigenous peoples with distinct tribal affiliations across the United States—Navajo, Cherokee, Lakota, and many others. Less commonly recognized is the presence and heritage of Black Native Americans—a unique and often overlooked community shaped by centuries of intersection between African and Indigenous cultures. Black Native Americans represent a powerful narrative of resilience, cultural blending, and identity formation that challenges conventional narratives about race, nationhood, and belonging in America. ### Who Are Black Native Americans? Black Native Americans are individuals of African descent who have lived within Indigenous nations throughout history. This community emerged over centuries due to complex historical forces, including transatlantic slavery, intermarriage between enslaved Africans and Native peoples, and the movement of Black individuals across tribal lands for refuge, trade, and alliance. Rather than being a single homogenous group, Black Native Americans encompass diverse lineages, cultures, and experiences tied to specific tribal nations such as the Cherokee, Choctaw, Apache, and others.