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Honoring Indigenous Texans
Every Texan celebrates Indigenous Texans across the state this Native American Heritage Month.
Historical Context
"Long Walk Home" by Richard K. Yazzie, Muralist, 2005. Located in New Mexico.
American Indian and Alaska Native History is Texas History
American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) Texans are integral to the fabric of our state through their key contributions to our infrastructure, economy, and political sphere. This StoryMap explores historical and contemporary data on AI/AN Texans while highlighting the significance of disaggregating data into detailed race and ethnicity categories.
Census data indicates that Texas’ AI/AN population has grown over time. However, the reality is AI/AN people have historically been undercounted, or not counted at all. The first Census did not include AI/AN people, and it wasn’t until 1890 that Census officials made an effort to count all AI/AN people in the United States. To this day, barriers still exist in getting an accurate count.
It is also important to acknowledge that many AI/AN people were murdered or fled the state during the 1800s after Texas won its independence in 1836.
Historically, Texas has been home to many different AI/AN tribes. Below, you can see a linguistic map of Texas AI/AN people. According to Native Languages of the Americas , the original inhabitants of present-day Texas include:
- The Apache tribes
- The Bidai tribe
- The Coahuiltecan and Carrizo tribes
- The Caddo tribe
- The Comanche tribe
- The Jumano , Suma, Piro, and other eastern Pueblos
- The Karankawa tribe
- The Kiowa tribe
- The Kitsai tribe
- The Tawakoni tribe
- The Tonkawa tribe
- The Wichita tribe
While the history of AI/AN Texans is filled with hardship, there are many AI/AN experiences to celebrate.
You Are On Indigenous Land
The map below , created by Indigenous-led nonprofit Native Land Digital, illustrates where Indigenous tribes have lived all across the world. According to NPR , Native Land Digital aims to use at least two valid sources when updating the map, such as oral history, written documents, or sketched maps. In the event there are conflicting maps, they exercise caution and try to be as expansive as possible. Native Land Digital cautions that the map does not show definitive or legal boundaries of any Indigenous nations and is an ever-evolving creation dependent on community contributions.
Native-Land.ca | Our home on native land
Geographic Overview
The following maps explore the geography of the AI/AN population. While we will walk you through some main findings, we suggest you click on different geographies for more details and zoom around to areas that interest you.
Where Do AI/AN Texans Live?
From Amarillo to Brownsville, AI/AN Texans live all across our state.
The following counties are estimated to have the largest AI/AN populations:
- Harris County: 33,169 (±2,849)
- Bexar County: 17,789 (±1,777)
- Dallas County: 16,535 (±1,783)
- Tarrant County: 11,409 (±1,561)
- Travis County: 9,987 (±1,771)
Counties also differ by what percentage of the total population is made up of AI/AN people.
Pay attention to the margin of error for each county – as you can see, some are quite high.
There are three federally recognized Native American reservations in Texas today:
Demographics
AI/AN Texans Are Diverse
As of 2023, there are an estimated 267,945 American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) Texans (who identified as one race), making up 1% of our state's total population.
Additionally, an estimated 247,012 Texans identify as white and AI/AN (an additional 1% of the state's population), and an estimated 46,607 Texans identify as Black and AI/AN (an additional 0.2% of the state's population).
It is important to note, however, that surveys tend to undercount AI/AN Texans. The 2020 decennial Census undercounted AI/AN people living on reservations by about 6% nationally .
In 2022, an estimated 339,203 American Indian Texans identified with a specific tribe, and an estimated 72,333 did not.
Of American Indian Texans who identified with a tribe*, an estimated:
- 86,585 identified as Cherokee
- 67,933 identified as Mexican American Indian
- 35,710 identified as Central American Indian
- 30,877 identified as Choctaw
In the same year, around 2,496 Alaska Native Texans identified with a specific tribe, and an estimated 981 did not.
An estimated 83% of AI/AN Texans are of Hispanic origin, compared to 40% of all Texans of any race.
The age breakdown of AI/AN Texans is similar to the overall age breakdown of the state.
AI/AN Texans have a slightly higher share of people in the working age group (18-64 years) compared to the state overall.
The median age of AI/AN Texans is 33.3. This is slightly lower than the overall median age in Texas (for all races) of 35.9.
The median age for AI/AN women living in Texas is slightly lower, at 32.7, compared to 33.8 for AI/AN men.
AI/AN Texans come from many different places. The term "American Indian" used by the U.S. Census Bureau refers to the Indigenous people of the Americas. Diverse Indigenous populations are spread across various countries in North and South America, including the United States, Canada, Mexico, Guatemala, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, and Venezuela.
70% of AI/AN Texans were born in the United States, while 30% were born outside of the United States.
Of the racial and ethnic groups identified by the U.S. Census Bureau in Texas, AI/AN Texans have the fourth-highest share of people born outside the United States.
Of AI/AN Texans born in the United States, 47% speak a language other than English, while 92% of those born outside of the United States speak a language other than English.
AI/AN Texans born outside the United States are six times more likely to not speak English very well compared to AI/AN Texans born in the United States. Thus, it’s important for Texas to have resources and government materials available in additional languages.
According to the Williams Institute , 1% of LGBTQ+ Texans are American Indian or Alaska Native.
Of AI/AN Texans living with a spouse or partner, 2% live with a spouse or partner of the same sex.
While married AI/AN Texans are less likely to experience poverty compared to non-married couples, same-sex married couples are still more likely to experience poverty than opposite-sex married couples.
According to Point of Pride , “Two-Spirit” is a term used to describe an Indigenous person who embodies both feminine and masculine qualities, often encompassing a gender and spiritual identity outside the binary.
While limited data is available for Two-Spirit populations, studies show that Two-Spirit people experience high rates of post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression, suicidality, and problematic substance use. It is important for policymakers to take into account the intersection of identities when shaping public policy to benefit all Texans.
AI/AN Texans have higher disability rates than Texans of all races/ethnicities across all age groups. Texas must establish supports to ensure AI/AN Texans with disabilities can access the resources they need in order to thrive.
Economic Characteristics
Demonstrators standing outside of the U.S. Supreme Court, as the Court heard arguments over the Indian Child Welfare Act on Nov. 9, 2022, in Washington. Image taken by Mariam Zuhaib for ASSOCIATED PRESS.
AI/AN Texans play a key role in our state's economy; however, many experience disparities in education, pay, and employment.
AI/AN women outpace AI/AN men when it comes to getting a bachelor's degree or higher.
While AI/AN households have the third-highest median income in Texas, they still make about $19,000 less than non-Hispanic white households and $42,000 less than Asian households.
Though AI/AN households have the third-highest household median income among racial and ethnic groups, individual AI/AN Texans fare worse. AI/AN women make about $37,000 less annually compared to non-Hispanic white men.
In 2022, 5.3% of AI/AN Texans aged 16 years and older were unemployed, compared to 4.4% of Texans of any race.
When looking at the civilian employed population (16 years and over) in Texas, the industry composition of working AI/AN Texans tends to reflect the overall proportions statewide across all racial and ethnic groups.
An estimated 19% of AI/AN Texans are experiencing poverty, which is more than twice the rate of non-Hispanic white Texans (8%). The poverty rate in Texas for all racial and ethnic groups is about 14%.
Data for the AI/AN population tend to have larger margins of error, resulting in wider confidence intervals. Even at the lowest point in the confidence interval, AI/AN Texans still experience poverty at a higher rate (16%) compared to the total population of all racial groups (13-14%), Asian Texans (8-10%), and non-Hispanic white Texans (8-9%).
At the highest point in the confidence interval, AI/AN Texans have the highest rate of people living in poverty at 22%.
Health Characteristics
All Texans deserve access to quality health care, yet many AI/AN Texans do not have access to adequate services.
In Texas, 22% of AI/AN people are uninsured, compared to 16% of all Texans and 9% of non-Hispanic white Texans. This is concerning, given that a lack of health insurance can lead to worse health outcomes . According to KFF , AI/AN people tend to have shorter life spans compared to other racial and ethnic groups – a gap that has widened since the pandemic .
Between 2020 and 2022, an average of 44% of pregnant, non-Hispanic AI/AN women in Texas were enrolled in Medicaid at the time they gave birth. This is significantly higher than the 29% of non-Hispanic white women enrolled.
This disparity highlights the greater reliance of AI/AN women on Medicaid for prenatal and childbirth care, due to their challenges accessing private health insurance. Medicaid plays a critical role in providing necessary health care during pregnancy for many AI/AN women, offering a safety net to ensure maternal and infant health.
In 2020, 40% of AI/AN people enrolled in Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) were children.
Although AI/AN individuals represent only about 1% of all Medicaid and CHIP enrollees, this community was significantly affected by the recent Medicaid unwinding . Medicaid and CHIP provide vital health care access for many AI/AN families – particularly children – who rely on these programs for essential medical services. As Medicaid unwinding continues, the loss of coverage can disproportionately impact AI/AN children and create additional barriers to health care access in an already vulnerable population.
Having access to mental health services is also crucial for AI/AN communities, as they experience disproportionately high rates of mental health challenges including trauma, depression, and substance use.
While state-level mental health data is limited for the AI/AN population, data are available for the entire nation. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , suicide rates among non-Hispanic AI/AN people increased about 20% between 2015 and 2020, compared to a less than 1% increase nationally.
Drug overdose death rates were highest for non-Hispanic AI/AN people in 2020 at 42.5 per 100,000 people, compared to the national rate of 28.3 per 100,000 people. This disparity emphasizes the urgent need for targeted prevention, treatment, and culturally relevant support services within AI/AN communities.
Culturally informed mental health support can help address these challenges while fostering resilience, well-being, and stronger community connections. According to data from the American Psychological Association , only 0.13% of therapists in the United States are AI/AN. This shortage underscores the need for more AI/AN representation in the mental health field and services that honor and incorporate cultural traditions, values, and community perspectives.
Safety
AI/AN Texans deserve to feel safe in their communities. However, the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit People (MMIWG2S) crisis reflects the disproportionate rates of violence, disappearance, and lack of justice harming Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirit people. By examining safety data and trends, we aim to bring awareness to this critical issue and the urgent need to protect AI/AN women, girls, and Two-Spirit people.
Darlene Gomez and families of missing and murdered Indigenous people gather while holding signs and photos of their loved ones on January 13th, in Window Rock, Arizona.
Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit People (MMIWG2S)
84.3% of AI/AN women experience violence in their lifetime.
According to the National Congress of American Indians , AI/AN women and girls experience higher rates of violence than most, yet AI/AN violence survivors are also less likely to receive the services they need. Violence against AI/AN women and girls is more often committed by non-AI/AN perpetrators .
More resources need to be allocated toward investigating missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirit people. Homicide is the third-highest cause of death among AI/AN girls aged 15 to 19 and among AI/AN women aged 20 to 24. Homicide is the fourth-highest cause of death among AI/AN women aged 25 to 34. Overall, the murder rate of AI/AN women is nearly three times that of non-Hispanic white women.
There were 5,712 reported incidents of missing or murdered Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirit people in 2016. Yet, only 116 of these cases were recorded in the Department of Justice database. Violence committed against AI/AN women, girls, and Two-Spirit people is underreported and prosecuted at the federal, state, and local levels. It is imperative that policymakers at all levels of government prioritize the safety of AI/AN women, girls, and Two-Spirit people in their lawmaking.
Civic Engagement
Organizers and activists rally in 2022 as the U.S. Supreme Court hears a case that challenges the legality of the Indian Child Welfare Act. Image taken by Shuran Huang for The Texas Tribune.
AI/AN Texans Are Civically Engaged
In an effort to increase voter turnout and prioritize tribal issues, members of the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe rallied outside of the Texas State Capitol on September 25, 2020. Image taken by Amna Ijaz of The Texas Tribune.
AI/AN Texans are deeply connected to their communities and actively participate in making them better places to live. From volunteering at local events to advocating for important causes, AI/AN Texans show a strong commitment to civic engagement through voting, serving on local councils, and working to preserve their culture and traditions. Their involvement reflects a dedication to community well-being for future generations. However, many inequities and barriers still hinder AI/AN people and their ability to affect positive change in their communities.
Native Texans participate in a protest march against the Dos Republicas Coal Partnership coal mine operation in Eagle Pass, Texas on April 16, 2016. Image taken by Kin Man Hui of San Antonio Express-News.
According to a report by the Native American Rights Fund , AI/AN people face multiple obstacles when it comes to voting:
- Geographical isolation,
- Poorly maintained or non-existent roads,
- Distance and limited hours of government offices,
- Technological barriers and the digital divide,
- Low levels of educational attainment and depressed socio-economic conditions,
- Homelessness and housing insecurity,
- Non-traditional mailing addresses, such as P.O. boxes,
- Lack of funding for elections, and
- Discrimination against AI/AN people.
Members of the Native American educational group Danza Azteca de Yanaguana, John and Barbara Hernandez and Ricky Reyes, singing and blessing ancestral human remains. Afterwards, they will attend a memorial mass lead at Mission San Juan in San Antonio on December 9, 2022. The human remains were discovered at the missions and were reburied on the grounds after the ceremony. Image taken by Sam Owens of San Antonio Express-News.
AI/AN Texans create positive change in their communities and have the potential to influence policy statewide, as there are more than 200,000 AI/AN Texans of voting age. It is crucial that state and local policymakers, community leaders, and businesses prioritize uplifting and empowering AI/AN Texans to participate and thrive in our democracy.
Data Disaggregation
Dancers from Great Promise for American Indians at the Bullock Museum’s 2019 American Indian Heritage Day event.
Texas must do better for AI/AN Texans, especially when it comes to inclusive and accurate data disaggregation. While data is directly tied to how much funding and support communities receive from government programs, AI/AN people continue to be undercounted by federal and state surveys. These undercounts have serious implications; the Department of Housing and Urban Development uses Census data to distribute about $650 million annually to more than 580 tribes through the Indian Housing Block Grant. When AI/AN communities are undercounted, they do not receive the dollars they deserve. It is crucial that data collection efforts evolve to be more inclusive and representative of the diverse identities and lived experiences of all Texans.
Policy recommendations developed by the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) Policy Research Center in collaboration with other civil rights organizations are available here .
Resources
AI/AN communities have a resilient and vibrant cultural heritage that has thrived for thousands of years and continues to inspire future generations. Through their advocacy, art, and traditions, AI/AN Texans contribute immeasurably to the cultural fabric of this state while fostering deep connections to the community. As they continue to innovate and preserve their cultural identity, AI/AN communities remain a powerful testament to the spirit of resilience, empowerment, and pride.
Community resources:
- Learn more about programs that address the needs and aspirations of Indigenous communities in San Antonio via American Indians in Texas at the Spanish Colonial Missions .