Ask-a-Native

Please Note:This page is intended to be one electronic resource for human service professionals and others working with Native American children and families. This page is NOT intended to be the end-all authority on Native Americans or any particular Tribe. This page is NOT intended to supplant the building of relationships and the seeking of knowledge through personal experience, which remains the best way to learn. Please bear in mind that many questions require in-depth or complicated answers. Our staff will attempt to answer legitimate questions to the best of our ability. If we cannot answer a question or if we feel that a question can be better answered through another source, we will direct questions to more appropriate resources, readings or possibly, in certain cases, individuals. This page is meant to be just one learning tool of many.

Not every question submitted may be answered. Authors reserve the right to alter questions for grammar or clarity, if necessary.

Click on a question

General Information
What do you prefer to be called – American Indian, Native American or what?

What does it mean to be enrolled?

Values and Beliefs
Is it true that Native Americans don’t believe in spanking their children?

If this is true, why does it seem so many parents are investigated for child abuse?

Reservations and Tribal Government
How many Tribes are there in North Dakota?

What is the difference between a Tribe and a reservation?

What is a Tribal Council?

Do Indians pay taxes?

Do Indians get payments from the government?

Are Indians entitled to a free college education?

Do Indians have special rights different from other citizens?

Is the Indian Health Service (IHS) a part of the Tribe or not?