Anton Treuer is presenting to students at Blake School. Contact: Anna Reid, areid@blakeschool.org.

In this talk, author and Ojibwe scholar Anton Treuer explores one of the most frequently asked—and often misunderstood—questions in Native communities and beyond: who is Native American, and who gets to decide? Drawing on history, law, and personal experience, Treuer explains how Native identity has been shaped not only by culture and kinship, but also by colonial policies, federal definitions, and shifting political interests.

The presentation traces how concepts like blood quantum, enrollment, and tribal citizenship emerged, why they exist, and how they have affected Native families and communities across generations. Treuer clarifies the critical distinction between cultural identity and political citizenship, emphasizing that tribes are sovereign nations with the inherent right to define their own membership.

Grounded in respect and education rather than controversy, this talk invites audiences to move beyond stereotypes and simplistic answers. Students and community members alike are encouraged to think more carefully about identity, belonging, and self-determination—and to understand why these questions matter not only to Native Nations, but to the future of justice and sovereignty in the United States.