Across the United States, Native American tribes face a myriad of socio-economic challenges, with unemployment being a particularly persistent and devastating issue. This article delves into the stark reality of joblessness within specific tribal communities, highlighting the fifteen Indian Tribes With Highest Unemployment Rates in the lower 48 states, based on data focusing on tribes with enrollments above 1,000 members and at least 500 unemployed individuals. These statistics paint a picture of economic hardship, often coupled with pervasive poverty, despite the tribes residing within states with significantly lower overall unemployment rates. It’s important to acknowledge that these numbers, while reflecting a specific point in time, underscore the systemic issues that contribute to these disparities.
Before examining the individual tribes, it’s crucial to understand the context. Historical injustices, including forced displacement, land dispossession, and the disruption of traditional economies, have had a profound and lasting impact on Native American communities. Limited access to education, healthcare, and capital further exacerbates the problem. Furthermore, geographic isolation, lack of infrastructure, and discrimination in the job market contribute to the difficulty tribal members face in securing and maintaining employment.
The information presented highlights a snapshot in time and may not reflect current conditions due to the dynamic nature of economic factors.
15. Shoshone-Bannock Tribes-Fort Hall
Located in southeastern Idaho on the Snake River Plain, the Fort Hall Indian Reservation is home to the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes. The sheer scale of unemployment here is staggering. With a tribal enrollment of 4,796, the reservation reports that of the 9,593 individuals available for work (including non-enrolled workers), a staggering 7,757 are unemployed. This equates to an unemployment rate of 81%. The impact extends beyond joblessness, as 41% of those who are employed live below the poverty level. To put this into perspective, Idaho’s overall unemployment rate is significantly lower.
14. Bad River Band of Chippewa
The Bad River Band of Chippewa, nestled on the southern shore of Lake Superior in northern Wisconsin, faces a similar crisis. The tribe grapples with an 81% unemployment rate. Out of the 1,800 individuals available for work, only 335 are employed, leaving 1,465 without jobs. The employed fare little better, with a staggering 81% living below the poverty line. This starkly contrasts with Wisconsin’s statewide unemployment rate.
13. Puyallup Tribe
The Puyallup Tribe, a Coast Salish Tribe located in what is now Tacoma, Washington, faces an unemployment rate of 82%. Of the 12,437 individuals available for work (including non-enrolled workers), 10,250 are unemployed. The tribe’s struggle is further highlighted by the fact that, of the 2,187 who do have jobs, 1,412 live below the poverty level. This situation is far more dire than the general unemployment rate in Washington State.
12. Winnebago Tribe
The Winnebago Tribe, residing on the Winnebago Indian Reservation in northeastern Nebraska, experiences an 82% unemployment rate. Only 185 of the 1,055 tribal members available for work are employed, leaving 870 without jobs. The situation is worsened by the fact that 93% of those who are employed live in poverty. Nebraska’s comparatively low unemployment rate underscores the disparity.
11. Walker River Paiute Tribe
The Walker River Paiute Reservation, situated in Midwestern Nevada, approximately 100 miles southeast of Reno, faces an 83% unemployment rate. Out of nearly 3,000 tribal members, only 145 of the 850 available for work are employed, leaving 705 without jobs. Even considering Nevada’s relatively high unemployment rate, the situation on the reservation is far more severe.
10. Rosebud Sioux Tribe
The Rosebud Sioux Tribe, located in South Dakota, has 26,237 enrolled members, with 14,428 available for work. Alarmingly, 11,909 of those are unemployed, resulting in an 83% unemployment rate. The tribe holds the second spot in terms of the number of tribal members without a job and the tenth spot on this list by unemployment percentage. The fact that 76% of the 2,519 employed individuals live below the poverty level emphasizes the dire economic straits.
9. Shoshone Tribe of the Wind River Reservation
The Shoshone Tribe of the Wind River Reservation, located in central Wyoming and sharing reservation territory with the Northern Arapaho, experiences an 86% unemployment rate. Of the 2,686 tribal members available for work, 2,248 are unemployed. The employed are not immune to hardship, as 187 out of 438 live in poverty. Wyoming’s overall unemployment rate is significantly lower.
8. Round Valley Indian Tribes
The Round Valley Indian Reservation, primarily located in Mendocino County, California, has an unemployment rate of 86%. Of the 1,450 members available for work, 1,241 are unemployed. More than half of those who are employed (54%) live below the poverty level. The statistics of this tribe exemplify the problem of the 15 Indian Tribes With Highest Unemployment Rates.
7. Little Traverse Bay Band
The Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, located on the northwestern shores of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula, faces an unemployment rate of 86%. Of the 1,657 members available for work, 1,427 are unemployed. While 18% of those employed live below the poverty level, the situation remains stark, especially when compared to Michigan’s already relatively high unemployment rate.
6. Standing Rock Sioux Tribe
The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, straddling the border of North and South Dakota, is the sixth-largest reservation in land area in the United States and ranks sixth on this list, with an 86% unemployment rate. With a tribal enrollment of 6,461, only 491 of the 3,565 available for work are employed, leaving 3,074 without jobs. Furthermore, 43% of those who are employed live below the poverty level.
5. The Apache Tribe of Oklahoma
The Apache Tribe of Oklahoma, also known as the Plains Apache, is a federally recognized tribe located in Anadarko, Oklahoma. The tribe faces an 87% unemployment rate. Of the 1,702 tribal members available for work, only slightly over 200 are employed. Half of those employed live below the poverty line. This reality contrasts sharply with Oklahoma’s overall unemployment rate.
4. Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe
The Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation, encompassing over 3 million acres in central South Dakota, experiences an 88% unemployment rate. Approximately 70% of the tribe’s members live on the reservation. While approximately 1,300 residents are employed, a disheartening 100% of them live below the poverty line. The statistics of this tribe are shocking.
3. Oglala Sioux Tribe of Pine Ridge
The Oglala Sioux Tribe of Pine Ridge, perhaps most known for its high unemployment and poor living conditions, also has the highest number of unemployed individuals. With an 89% unemployment rate, the situation is dire. While over 1,000 residents are employed, 34% of them live below the poverty level. The Pine Ridge reservation has an unemployment rate 85% higher than South Dakota’s.
2. Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians
The Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians, located in Temecula, California, faces a 91% unemployment rate. The tribe has a tribal enrollment of 1,342. Of those who are employed, none live below the poverty level. The opening of the Pechanga Resort and Casino in 2002 has aided the tribe’s economic development.
1. Sokaogon Chippewa Community
The Sokaogon Chippewa Community of Mole Lake, Wisconsin, has the highest percentage of unemployed tribal members, with a staggering 93% unemployment rate. Of those who are employed, 79% live below the national poverty standards. This starkly contrasts with Wisconsin’s overall unemployment rate.
Addressing the Crisis
The high unemployment rates experienced by these fifteen Indian Tribes With Highest Unemployment Rates are a complex issue with deep-rooted historical and systemic causes. Addressing this crisis requires a multi-faceted approach that includes:
- Investment in Education: Improving access to quality education and vocational training is crucial for equipping tribal members with the skills needed to compete in the job market.
- Economic Development: Supporting tribal-owned businesses, promoting entrepreneurship, and attracting investment to reservations can create jobs and stimulate economic growth.
- Infrastructure Development: Improving infrastructure, such as roads, broadband internet access, and transportation, can enhance economic opportunities and connect tribal communities to the broader economy.
- Addressing Systemic Barriers: Tackling discrimination, promoting fair labor practices, and ensuring equal access to resources are essential for creating a level playing field.
- Preserving Culture: Supporting language preservation, cultural tourism, and traditional arts and crafts can provide economic opportunities while maintaining cultural identity.
The challenges faced by these tribes are significant, but not insurmountable. With sustained effort, targeted investments, and a commitment to addressing systemic barriers, it is possible to create a more equitable and prosperous future for Native American communities. The 15 Indian Tribes With Highest Unemployment Rates must be a focal point of future efforts.
