American Indian Chief Tire Cover. These tire covers have a  picture of an Indian Chief on the black cover.

How many American Indian Chiefs are there today?

The question of how many American Indian Chiefs are there today is not easy to answer, as different tribes have different ways of selecting and recognizing their leaders. Some tribes have hereditary chiefs, nominated by clan mothers or elders based on lineage and qualifications. Other tribes have elected chiefs and councilors, who the members of the tribe choose through a democratic process. Some tribes have both systems or a combination, depending on their traditions and constitutions.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs, there are 574 federally recognized American Indian and Alaska Native tribes and villages in the United States as of February 2020. Each tribe has its government, laws, and leaders, who may or may not use the title of chief. Some tribes have more than one chief, such as the Iroquois Confederacy, which has 50 hereditary chiefs from six nations. Some tribes do not have any chiefs, such as the Hopi, who have a tribal council instead.

Therefore, it is impossible to give an exact number of how many American Indian Chiefs are there today, as it depends on how one defines a chief and how one counts the tribes and their leaders. However, some sources have attempted to list some of the most notable and influential Native American chiefs and leaders in history, such as Listverse and HistoryNet. These lists include famous figures such as Sitting Bull, Crazy Horse, Geronimo, Tecumseh, Red Cloud, Chief Joseph, Black Hawk, Pontiac, etc. These chiefs and leaders fought for their people’s rights, lands, and cultures against the colonization and oppression of European settlers and governments.