Introduction

Karen grigby bates: It's the first week of indigenous heritage month, and as such we want to bring you one of our favorite stories about indigenous identity in the us. There are more than 500 federally recognized native american tribes in the united states. Federally recognized tribes can have their own courts and police departments. They can maintain their own bridges and roads. And they can levy taxes. But defining someone's identity is never as simple as a fraction.