Intersecting Marginalizations: The Lived Experiences of Native American and Indigenous Muslims in the United States

• In Event: Grassroots Governance, Collaboration, Practitioner Discretion

Abstract

Native American and Indigenous Muslims exist at a rarely examined intersection of race, religion, and colonial history in the United States. This paper draws on findings from the Native American and Indigenous Muslim Stories (NAIMS) project by the Institute for Social Policy and Understanding (ISPU)—the first national study of its kind—to explore the challenges and cultural richness of this underrepresented community.

Indigenous Muslims navigate a dual marginalization that stems from both Islamophobia and the erasure of Native identities. Through17 in-depth interviews and 3 focus groups, this qualitative study reveals the layered complexities of Indigenous Muslim identity and sheds light on how participants experience belonging, exclusion, and spirituality across multiple cultural landscapes. Central themes include cultural synergy between Islam and Indigenous traditions, the persistence of colonial legacies, and solidarity in activism—particularly in the context of movements like Standing Rock and Palestinian liberation.

The research identifies three key findings:

- Spiritual Common Ground: Participants describe parallels between Islam and Indigenous worldviews, such as shared values of care for the land, family, and community. These synergies offer entry points for cross-cultural understanding and interfaith collaboration.

- Double Erasure: Native Muslims often feel invisible both within broader Muslim spaces and among Indigenous communities, revealing the limits of existing community outreach and representation.

- Solidarity Through Struggle: Moments of mutual advocacy—such as Native support for global Indigenous causes—highlight opportunities for coalition-building across communities impacted by colonization and systemic marginalization.

The paper offers policy-relevant insights for academics, funders, and community advocates. It underscores the need for culturally competent research, intentional outreach strategies, and more inclusive programming within both Muslim and Indigenous-serving institutions. Recommendations include: integrating Indigenous Muslim perspectives into broader policy dialogues, funding cross-community research, and supporting initiatives that uplift intersectional narratives.

This submission is relevant to scholars, policymakers, and practitioners focused on racial equity, religious pluralism, and Indigenous justice. It emphasizes how narrative-based research can serve as a tool for recognition, representation, and resistance.

Author

• Sajeela Munir, Institute for Social Policy and Understanding
  Presenting Author