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Stuff Every Indigenous Cultures Scout Should Know: the Study Guide

Practice facts for the American Indian Culture merit badge. Not an official Scouting America credential. Grab a snack: this guide is the friendly version, with the answers explained and a groan-worthy joke waiting at the end of most cards.

Knowing Indigenous Cultures Scout saves you money, time and the occasional embarrassment.

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Chapter 1: Principles and Documents

The cheat sheet

The whole guide on one screen. Screenshot it, print it, stick it on the fridge.

  • Ethnographers group North American Indigenous peoples into ten cultural areas based on shared traits and region.
  • The northwest culture area shared traits like salmon fishing, woodworking, and large villages with ranked social structure.
  • Reintroduced horses let Plains tribes hunt, trade, and move more effectively, and horses became a measure of wealth.
  • Most Native Americans, roughly 80 percent, live outside reservations, often in cities.
  • The Cherokee are the largest self-reported tribe, followed by Navajo and Choctaw.
  • There are 574 federally recognized tribal governments and 326 Indian reservations in the United States.
  • Tribes may form governments, enforce civil and criminal laws, tax, and set membership rules, but cannot make war or mint currency.
  • Many reservations are independent of state law, so tribal citizens there are subject to tribal courts and federal law.
  • The Indian Citizenship Act of 1924 granted citizenship to Native Americans born in the US who did not already have it.
  • Titles II through VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 make many, but not all, Bill of Rights guarantees apply within tribes.
  • The 1975 act recognized tribal autonomy, leading to Native-run schools and economic initiatives.
  • Because reservations have sovereignty, states have limited power to forbid gambling there under this 1988 law.

Pop quiz

Think of your answer first, then peek.

  1. How many cultural areas do ethnographers use to classify Indigenous peoples of North America?
    • Ten
    • Five
    • Twenty
    Show the answer

    Ten. Ethnographers group North American Indigenous peoples into ten cultural areas based on shared traits and region.

  2. What did the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act of 1975 recognize?
    • An end to treaties
    • Tribal autonomy
    • Federal ownership of all schools
    Show the answer

    Tribal autonomy. The 1975 act recognized tribal autonomy, leading to Native-run schools and economic initiatives.

  3. Which team changed its name in 2020 because the old term is a racial slur?
    • The Cleveland Guardians
    • The Golden State Warriors
    • The Washington Commanders
    Show the answer

    The Washington Commanders. The NFL's Washington Commanders changed their name in 2020 from a term considered a racial slur.

  4. Why can it be hard for reservation residents to get home loans?
    • Land is held in trust, so banks lack collateral
    • Banks do not like houses
    • Loans are illegal
    Show the answer

    Land is held in trust, so banks lack collateral. Because reservation land is held in trust by the federal government, individuals cannot build home equity to secure loans.

  5. Why were Karuk fires important?
    • They were banned for safety
    • They maintained the environment and aided hunting
    • They were only for warmth
    Show the answer

    They maintained the environment and aided hunting. The Karuk used fire to maintain and regulate their environment, correct travel routes, and optimize hunting.

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