Final answer:
The higher population of Native Americans in western states is largely the result of historic forced relocations and reservation establishment during the westward expansion and Manifest Destiny period of the 19th century. The encroachment of white settlers led to the displacement of Native Americans onto federally designated reservations, often resulting in cultural transformation and dependency on government support.
Step-by-step explanation:
The main reason the current US Indian population is higher in western states can be traced back to historical policies and events such as the forced relocation of Native Americans, the establishment of reservations, and the impact of westward expansion. During the 1830s, Indigenous peoples living east of the Mississippi were removed to what is now Oklahoma, and later when this land became desirable due to the westward push of white settlers, their territory was once again diminished. The period of Manifest Destiny intensified these dynamics as settlers and the US government believed it was their divine right to expand and control the land, often at the expense of Native American populations.
Settlers' encroachment and the subsequent violent conflicts, known as the Indian Wars, significantly altered tribal cultures and physically displaced native societies, confining them to reservations. These reservations were often on land unsuitable for traditional practices and farming, leading to dependency on government support and attempts at forced assimilation. Moreover, laws and regulations further disrupted their way of life as Native Americans were coerced into adopting Western customs, language, and religion, aiming to 'civilize' them according to American standards of the time.