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Native American Heritage Month Program

2024• 49 minPG

Synopsis

On June 2, 1924, Congress enacted the Indian Citizenship Act, granting citizenship to all Native Americans born in the United States.

Deep Dive

Why Watch

  • See how the 1919 Citizenship Act affected Indigenous soldiers.
  • Find out the complexities of the Indian Citizenship Act of 1924.
  • Meet experts from the National Archives and the National Museum of the American Indian.

Did You Know

  • The Indian Citizenship Act was enacted on June 2, 1924.
  • The act consists of a single sentence declaring non-citizen Indians as U.S. citizens.
  • Before the act, Native people were considered citizens of separate nations.
  • The federal government used to issue passports for Americans traveling through Native lands.

Perfect For

American history buffsIndigenous rights advocatesMilitary history enthusiasts
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Frequently Asked Questions

What did the Indian Citizenship Act of 1924 accomplish?

The Indian Citizenship Act of 1924 granted US citizenship to all Native Americans born in the United States.

What was the federal government's initial stance on Native American citizenship?

Initially, the federal government considered Native Americans to be citizens of separate nations and did not automatically grant them US citizenship.

Who is Zet Kalashshaw?

Zet Kalashshaw, also known as Gertrude Simmons Bonnet, is one of the individuals whose records are preserved by the National Archives.

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