This study reports on a Native Identity Scale (NIS) adapted from an
African American identity scale (Sellers et al., 1997). American Indian (AIs) and
First Nations Canadian participants (N = 199) completed the NIS at powwows
in the Upper Midwest. The majority of respondents were Ojibwe, but other tribal
groups were represented. A principal components factor analysis with varimax
rotation revealed four factors important in self-identity: Centrality, Humanist,
Public Regard, and Oppressed Minority. The correlation of respondents’
scores on items defi ning the four factors with some aspects of respondents’
behavior supports the validity of the factors. It is suggested that the NIS is
a promising new tool for the study of identity dimensions in AI populations.