Climate change

Archaeology

Refugee

Environmental protection

Biology

Agriculture

Political science

Economics

Geography

Natural resource economics

Ecology

Tribe

Computer science

Land use

Computer security

Environmental science

Forced migration

Agroforestry

Land management

Indigenous

Vulnerability (computing)

Science

What are the full extent and long-term effects of land dispossession and forced migration for Indigenous peoples in North America? We leveraged a new dataset of Indigenous land dispossession and forced migration to statistically compare features of historical tribal lands to present-day tribal lands at the aggregate and individual tribe level. Results show a near-total aggregate reduction of Indigenous land density and spread. Indigenous peoples were forced to lands that are more exposed to climate change risks and hazards and are less likely to lie over valuable subsurface oil and gas resources. Agricultural suitability and federal land proximity results—which affect Indigenous movements, management, and traditional uses—are mixed. These findings have substantial policy implications related to heightened climate vulnerability, extensive land reduction, and diminished land value.

Effects of land dispossession and forced migration on Indigenous peoples in North America