Image for United States government policies on Native Americans

United States government policies on Native Americans

U.S. government policies towards Native Americans have evolved from forced removal and assimilation efforts—such as the Indian Removal Act and boarding schools—to a focus on self-determination and sovereignty. Today, policies aim to honor treaty rights, promote economic development, preserve cultural heritage, and support tribal governance. While progress has been made, challenges remain related to land rights, resource management, and social issues, with ongoing efforts to foster respectful and mutually beneficial relationships between the government and Native communities.