Although off-reservation economic development programs have been emphasized in the past, the Navajo Tribe also needs to emphasize on-reservation economic development in order to prevent the loss of well-educated Indian youth who leave frustrating on-reservation Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) jobs to aid outside enterprises in the mining of natural…

Recourse to the courts for resolution of conflicts has become increasingly frequent, particularly in matters concerning American Indians. Important to this upsurge is the commitment to Indian sovereignty and the awareness among Indians that their rights can be asserted and established in courts. The issues of Indian self-determination and tribal…

Focusing on land tenure patterns from 1860 to 1980, this study is a chronological socioeconomic interpretation of the history of northern New Mexico. Chapter One describes the development of the Pueblo Indian land use system prior to colonization. Chapter Two deals with the first colonial period (1598-1693) of land tenure in northern New Mexico.…

Reviews history of Arizona Indian voting rights. Details current dispute over voting rights in Apache County (Arizona). Explores three unanswered questions in light of current constitutional interpretation. Stresses solution to political disputes will require climate of mutual trust, awareness of constitutional rights/obligations of all concerned,…

Examines the Smith John case--in which the United States Supreme Court secured official recognition of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw as a tribe--as an example of "rhetorical games" used by different cultural groups to manipulate each other. Suggests alternative rhetorical strategies that would benefit the state and the Mississippi…

First tracing the historical background of Canadian-Indian policy, article then presents an in-depth analysis of the Indian Act, the mainstay of that policy. Apparently little has changed over the years: the Indian Act continues to thwart Indian sovereignty and self-determination. (Author/DS)

The essay discusses Indian rights in the light of national and international law and describes the struggle for Indian rights as part of an international struggle for human rights and social justice. (SB)

Analyzes the position of Indian tribal governments within the national political economy, their limited sovereignty and dependence on federal aid, and the consequences of Reagan's "new federalist" policies for tribal programs. Summarizes federal Indian policies from 1783 to the present. Contains 10 references. (SV)

Describes the leadership of the Lummi Nation, on the coast of Washington State, in environmental protection efforts worldwide. Highlights the role of two of their leaders, Kurt Russo and Jewell Praying Wolf James, in the tribe's efforts to protect the rainforests, tribal sacred lands, and local waterways. (MAB)

Discusses the effects of the recent proliferation of casinos on Native American reservations. Suggests that supporters feel that the economic prosperity and availability of jobs associated with the casinos are crucial for providing for the needs of the reservation's residents, whereas opponents fear an increase in serious gambling addictions. (MAB)

Explores the Johnson administration's most provocative innovation, the Community Action Program (CAP), and how its philosophy of "maximum feasible participation" furthered tribal self-determination. Examines the long-term impacts of CAPs and other Office of Economic Opportunity initiatives related to Head Start, Rough Rock Demonstration…

This booklet answers briefly the most common questions about American Indians asked by students, teachers, researchers, librarians, government agencies, and the news media. Sections outline the history, responsibilities, educational programs, and housing programs of the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA); President Bush's American Indian policy;…

This report summarizes an open discussion between members of the Indian Nations At Risk Task Force and the National Advisory Council on Indian Education (NACIE) and conference attenders following 2 days of testimony about issues in Native American education. An administrator outlined the loss of educational opportunity for Native Americans during…

Under Oklahoma's new "in need of treatment" (INT) procedure, juvenile commitments have increased 10 times since 1983. About 8% of commitments are American Indian children. Generally, the mental health dilemma of Indian communities is characterized by multiple and interacting problems, acute symptoms masked by related problems such as…

In traditional North American Indian societies, decisions are made by consensus rather than by authorities. Americans for Indian Opportunity (AIO), an organization concerned with the issue of tribal governance, considers poor communication and disagreements about issues of power, resources, and recognition to be among the causes for conflict…