Colorism among American Indian and Alaska Native People

The category of American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) is a political, legal, and social designation, yet it is often simply used as a homogenous racial identifier. But little is known about the quotidian experience of race for AI/AN individuals within this unique political status. The small but growing body of research that does exist demonstrates that AI/AN people have dramatically different experiences of race depending on how others interpret their skin color, hair, and other physical or cultural markers. Since colorism within other groups demonstrates that those with lighter skin have higher incomes, education, and health outcomes, understanding how this operates for Indigenous people is imperative. Locklear will investigate the contemporary experiences of race and colorism for AI/AN individuals using a mixed methods study design through qualitative interviews and the creation of the Indigenous Colorism Survey developed in partnership with the Urban Indian Health Institute.