Urban Indian Heritage Society calls for Congressional Black Caucus Hearings

📣 MEDIA ANNOUNCEMENT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Congressional Black Congress

Urban Indigenous Advocates Submit Letter to Congressional Black Caucus Requesting Hearings on Indigenous Misclassification

Washington, D.C. February 7th 2026 Urban Indian Heritage Society and community representatives have formally submitted a letter to the Congressional Black Caucus requesting congressional engagement and hearings regarding the historical misclassification of Indigenous peoples in urban America and the continuing impact on descendants today.

The letter calls attention to long-standing concerns that many Indigenous families migrating into urban centers during the mid-20th century were administratively and socially classified under generalized racial categories rather than recognized as Indigenous citizens. Advocates argue that these classification practices contributed to loss of identity recognition, reduced access to Indigenous programs and services, and long-term erasure of community continuity.

The submission respectfully asks congressional leaders to examine historical record practices and explore pathways toward administrative acknowledgment and remedies for affected communities.

The letter also highlights growing national support for addressing the issue. A public petition calling for acknowledgment and remedy for misclassified Indigenous peoples has now received over 11,000 signatures from citizens across the United States, demonstrating widespread public concern.

Petition link:

https://www.change.org/p/remedy-for-the-misclassified-people-of-north-america 

Advocates emphasize that the request seeks collaboration and dialogue, not division, and aims to ensure that Indigenous communities whose identities were obscured through past administrative practices have an opportunity for proper acknowledgment.

Community organizers state that they are prepared to provide historical documentation, community testimony, and research materials should congressional offices pursue further examination of the issue.

Supporters hope this letter marks the beginning of constructive federal engagement toward resolving long-standing identity classification concerns affecting Urban Indigenous populations nationwide.

Media Contact

Urban Indian Heritage Society

110A Baltimore Pike #1042, Springfield, Pennsylvania 19064

484-326-5757

https://urbanindianheritagesociety.org/