This Native American Heritage Month, we reflect on the stories and strength that continue to shape Tribal nations and our work within them.
Every November, Native American Heritage Month invites us to pause not just to reflect, but to listen and learn. It’s also a time to recognize the cultures, traditions and contributions of Native American and Alaska Native communities whose histories are woven into the foundation of this country.
At Arrowhead General, that recognition extends far beyond a month. With decades of experience supporting the unique insurance needs of federally recognized tribes, our Tribal program is grounded in something much deeper than coverage. It’s about respect. And it’s about having the humility to understand the nuance and complexity that comes with serving sovereign nations — where cultural insight shapes every decision.
So, this month, we’re not sharing a pitch; we’re sharing a perspective.
Understanding sovereignty
There are currently 574 federally recognized tribes in the United States, each one a distinct political community with its own governance, laws and priorities. The federal government maintains a government-to-government relationship with these tribes, much like the relationship it holds with other sovereign nations.
For those serving Native communities, it means understanding that tribal entities don’t operate in a one-size-fits-all framework. Their insurance needs reflect not just buildings or belongings, but legal distinctions, cultural values and governance structures that must be respected and supported.
That’s why our Tribal program team spends as much time listening and learning as they do quoting and underwriting.
“The unique nature of each individual tribe is just one of the reasons why there is a dedicated underwriting team ready and honored to support their needs with care, expertise, and respect,” adds Julie Kleckner, Arrowhead Tribal Senior Underwriter.
Related: Where tribal sovereignty meets tailored protection
A legacy that shaped a nation
The story of Native American and Alaska Native communities is inseparable from the story of this country. Long before colonial borders were drawn, Indigenous nations governed their own lands with sophisticated legal systems, trade networks and intertribal agreements. The Haudenosaunee Confederacy, for example, is widely considered one of the oldest participatory democracies in the world. In fact, it helped shape the U.S. Constitution in both structure and spirit.
Yet despite this foundational role, Native communities have faced centuries of forced displacement, broken treaties and assimilation policies. Federal actions like the Indian Removal Act of 1830 and the Indian boarding school era inflicted profound harm, ultimately fracturing families, stripping individuals of their identities and creating long-lasting structural inequities.
Still, Native nations endured. Across the country, tribes have reclaimed their languages, revitalized traditional practices and asserted their legal and cultural sovereignty — achievements that are not relics of the past, but active pursuits shaping the present.
Today, Indigenous nations lead in fields like renewable energy, land stewardship, cultural preservation and economic development. Their contributions to the environment, healthcare, education and governance continue to influence how communities — and the industries that serve them — can do better.
For our Tribal team, sovereignty isn’t symbolic; it’s the lens through which we build insurance solutions that reflect not only the complexity of tribal law, but the lived experience of those we serve.
Specialization with purpose
Some insurance providers offer tribal coverage as an offshoot of a government program. But tribal risk is not just another public entity classification — it’s its own ecosystem.
Our Tribal team understands the difference, and it guides how we operate. Built specifically for tribes and informed by decades of experience in Indian Country, our program recognizes the intersection of sovereignty, self-governance and enterprise. We continue to grow not by scaling for volume, but by deepening our impact.
That impact is reflected when a loss is met with compassion and clarity; when a claims adjuster understands the legal nuances, jurisdictional layers and cultural priorities unique to each tribe; and when a training session opens the door to deeper conversations about community safety and wellness.
We offer coverage that protects property and economic enterprises, but more importantly, we serve people with deep histories and powerful futures. And at the heart of this work are underwriters, claims advocates and marketing professionals dedicated to building long-term relationships. Some with Native heritage themselves, but all committed to cultural humility, active listening and ongoing learning.
“The color of culture splashes over many aspects of tribal life today and understanding culture develops our human connection and sensitivity to the needs of the tribal communities and nuances of specific insurance products,” says Carol Kats, Arrowhead Tribal Underwriting Manager.
This is why our team will continue to be present in the spaces that matter most — on tribal lands, at industry conferences and in one-on-one meetings with tribal leadership. Because we’re not just underwriting risk. We’re helping protect tribal heritage, autonomy and progress.
Related: Protecting heritage and habitat through wildfire mitigation
Insurance rooted in respect
Every policy we write, every loss we help resolve and every relationship we maintain is grounded in one simple belief: that Indigenous communities deserve insurance that honors their sovereignty and supports their vision for the future.
That means staying responsive to emerging risks, whether from cyber threats, environmental exposures or legal complexity. It means collaborating with carriers who value cultural insight and nuance. And it means continuing to approach this work with care, humility and deep respect — not only in November, but all year long.
For us, this is not just business. It’s a responsibility and it’s a privilege.
This material has been prepared for general informational purposes and is not intended to be applied to any reader’s particular circumstances.
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