The Indian Child Welfare Act places responsibility for implementing Indian welfare legislation onto Indian tribes themselves, rather than on the government bureaucracy. Successful implementation poses challenges concerning the establishment of comprehensive tribal courts, in view of sociocultural and environmental factors that have affected the…

Based on interviews conducted on the Mohawk Reservation at Akwesasne in 1980, this article focuses on some of the spiritual values which have deep roots in Mohawk culture. (CM)

Of major concern to American Indians are: government to government communications; development of Indian owned energy resources; federal budget changes as they affect the American Indian; preservation, protection, and quantification of inherent and reserved Indian water rights; preservation of treaty obligations; respect for tribal sovereignty;…

Overview of some of the most important Indian court cases of the last decade, including ones regarding treaty rights, tribal jurisdiction and sovereignty, tax jurisdiction, land claims, and hunting and fishing rights. (DS)

The Council of Energy Resource Tribes (CERT) and 25 coal-owning tribes recently completed a study of issues associated with control and reclamation of surface mining. Article presents their seven recommendations for legislation enabling tribes to have greater control over the regulation and reclamation of strip mining on their lands. (Author/DS)

Profiles the career of Barbara Booher, previously first Native American woman to superintend Custer Battlefield National Park (Montana), and now American Indian liaison for the National Park Service. Describes her efforts to persuade Congress to change the park name to Little Bighorn National Monument. Discusses career opportunities for Native…

At present, Congress is resuscitating the process of bilateral agreements that would restore some tribal autonomy to participating tribes. On the other hand, the Supreme Court has upheld federal-agency property rights or state interests over Indian rights to practice traditional religions and frequent sacred places. Contains 120 references. (SV)

Compares the recent advances of Western science to ancient views of Native American tribes. Indicates that "advances" such as chaos theory and zoopharmacognosy are long-standing elements of Native American traditional knowledge. Suggests that tribal colleges must assert themselves and become the primary symbols of authority on tribal culture. (MAB)

This book is a comparative interpretation of the works of Vine Deloria, Jr., (Standing Rock Sioux) and John Joseph Mathews (Osage), two American Indian intellectuals of this century. In bringing these two thinkers together, the book lays the groundwork for a discussion of several crucial issues in contemporary American Indian critical studies: (1)…

This newsletter article addresses the increasing role of telecommunications and its effect on American Indian institutions. Advocates believe that telecommunications could make rural Indian reservations more viable places to live, work, educate children, and treat illnesses. Additionally, new technology could revolutionize reservation economies.…

This document discusses tribal governance as part of the "Native American Week" on Montana State University's Bozeman campus. The document contains a commissioned paper, a panel discussion, a speech, and a list of legal documents of tribal governments in Montana. The commissioned paper, "Federal Indian Policy: A Summary," by…

In 1987, the United States Senate established the Special Committee to investigate American Indian affairs. Fraud, corruption, and mismanagement were found pervading the institutions serving American Indians. Corruption was also discovered in Indian tribal governments. The Committee faulted Congress for failing to adequately oversee and reform…

The "Declaration of Indian Purpose" produced by the American Indian Chicago Conference in 1961 needs to be recognized and extended to meet the needs and common political concerns of American Indians today. This publication provides the complete text and the appendices to this earlier document, and includes papers in which Indian…

This paper describes meetings of the American Indian Study Committee of the Wisconsin Legislative Council and background related to 1987 Assembly Bill 315 on Indian child abuse and neglect reports. At several 1985 and 1986 meetings, the committee (1) discussed problems resulting from requirements that "mandatory reporters" of child abuse…

Designed to provide insight into the Arizona Commission of Indian Affairs' proceedings, transactions, and findings, the 1984 annual report describes the year's efforts to improve communications, understanding, and working relationships between all concerned. After reviewing Commission meeting attendance and the attendance of related meetings, the…