Understanding the landscape of Native political identity

At Advance, our work is grounded in a commitment to the future of Native leadership and self-determination. To elect more Native leaders, we need a deeper understanding of who we are as Native people—our political identities, our lived experiences, and the many ways we show up in our communities and in civic life.

In 2024, we partnered with Lake Research Partners and Two Feathers Consulting to survey 1,000 Native American, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian adults nationwide. This is our first step in a long-term effort led by and for Native communities to better understand our political priorities, values, and behaviors—and to ensure that data about us reflects the full diversity of who we are. We analyzed responses across key identity markers like age, income, gender, sexual identity, political affiliation, and place of residence to surface insights that are both meaningful and actionable.

Native Peoples are ready for and enthusiastic about Native leadership. A large majority want to vote for a candidate who understands and can relate to their Native identity.

Who we heard from

Native people from every region of the country participated in the survey, reflecting the diversity of where and how we live today. Respondents came from urban, suburban, rural, and Tribal communities. Half of us lived in the West, 32% in the South, 14% in the Midwest, and 6% in the Northeast.

How identity shows up

Our Tribal identities are deeply woven into how we see ourselves. Nearly half of respondents (48%) said their Tribal and American identities are equally important. Another 34% said their Tribal identity carries more personal meaning, while just 15% said being American was more important to them.

“Which of the following identities is more important to your personal identity?”

A strong sense of collective experience

As Indigenous peoples, many of us feel a strong connection to one another—across Tribal Nations, geographies, and generations. Our survey explored the idea of linked fate, the belief that what happens to others in our community directly impacts our own lives. This deep sense of shared experience emerged as a powerful theme throughout the responses, underscoring the importance of collective action and representation.

Publish Date: April 2025