Affirming Indigenous Sovereignty: A Civics Inquiry

Affirming Indigenous Sovereignty: A Civics Inquiry

Indigenous sovereignty is an essential component of civics education. Historical and contemporary examples of infringements on the sovereign rights of Native nations exist, in part, due to the disregard of tribal sovereignty, nationhood, and citizenship. Given the aims of inquiry leading to informed action, we see a strong fit for using the College, Career, and Civic Life (C3) Framework as an entry to instructional planning about Indigenous sovereignty for upper elementary social studies. In this article, the authors outline a four-part unit that incorporates academic keywords, provides a foundation for understanding Indigenous sovereignty, and deliberates current events related to sovereignty.