This curriculum unit introduces students to the relationship between the federal government and American Indians through five narrative descriptions of the related legislation, laws, and court interpretations. The narratives cover: (1) the historical basis of federal Indian law and the government-to-government relationship; (2) legal definitions of Indian Country, Indian tribes, and individual Indian identity; (3) tribal sovereignty, powers of tribal governments, and federal limitations of tribal powers; (4) federal-Indian treaties, treaty effects on Indian rights, and Supreme Court interpretations; and (5) recent federal Indian laws, including the Indian Civil Rights Act, the Tribal Education Act, the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act, and the Indian Child Welfare Act. The narratives are accompanied by student worksheets. This document also contains guidelines for instruction, teacher references, a list of tribal contacts in Wisconsin, definitions of key concepts, and suggestions for classroom group or individual projects. (SV)