While the criminal reform bill, S.1722m, has great potential for straightening out the jurisdictional morass on Indian reservations, it is evading the more controversial issues. After describing past difficulties in determining criminal jurisdiction on tribal lands, this article discusses needed reforms and what is missing in the new law.…

Based on the Constitution and By-Laws of the Blackfeet Tribe, approved by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior in 1935, the Blackfeet Tribal Council has the authority to make civil and criminal laws and procedures to protect the peace, tranquility, and dignity of all persons residing within the Blackfeet Indian Reservation; to protect the…

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)

Examines development of federal-Indian trust relationship and separate "government-government" relationship between U.S. government and federally recognized tribes. Analyzes inconsistencies produced by government's administration of two relationships. Sees trust relationship (guardianship doctrine) as one aspect of government-government…

This report summarizes state legislative activity in 1992 and 1993 pertaining to Native American issues. An overview of each year is followed by state-by-state summaries. In 1993, of 238 bills, resolutions, and memorials introduced, 116 were enacted, with 31 pending. During 1993, education issues were important and included the integration of…

The House Subcommittee on Elementary, Secondary, and Vocational Education met on April 28, 1980, to hear testimony regarding progress made and problems encountered in implementing Title XI Amendments. Various representatives of Indian Affairs and Indian Education Programs testified on the following: recent changes in BIA education programs;…

A compilation of six policy statements, the booklet is intended to draw attention to the suppression of the rights of indigenous peoples (specifically, the Canadian Metis) by an inflexible federalist system of government, misguided national policies, and land claim settlements such as the 1978 COPE settlement. It is also intended to propose…

The second of two articles on criminal jurisdiction on Indian reservations proposes federal and local remedies to the jurisdictional problems caused by the 1978 Supreme Court "Oliphant" decision. Problem-solving models including cross deputization/mutual aid agreements, tribal/state commissions on jurisdiction, legislative proposals, and…

The National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) seeks to play a lead role in the development of relations between various state governmental entities and tribal governments; this assortment of documents treats aspects of those relations. A platform statement and resolution on Indian affairs adopted by the National Association of Counties supports…

Between 1779 and 1864 the United States signed over 400 legal and binding agreements with Indian governments. Treaties signed between 1779 and 1810 sought Indian alliances against England, France, and Spain (all of whom also signed treaties with the Indians at one time or another). Treaties signed from 1817 to 1846 were treaties of removal, and…

First of a two-article series describes methodology and conclusions of a study of the effects of the 1978 Supreme Court "Oliphant" decision regarding jurisdiction over reservation non-Indians. Describes three project phases: (a) literature search and legal analysis; (b) field studies and surveys; (c) determining problem-solving models…

This book describes the struggle of American Indian tribes and their governments to achieve the goals of freedom and tribal sovereignty. Part 1 provides a case study of the Mississippi Choctaws and their efforts to reestablish their tribal government, and introduces the structure, function, and values of the traditional governments of the…

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…

Discusses the rise of Indian activism during the last decade, including the organization of the American Indian Movement and some of its direct action and confrontation campaigns. Also discusses significant hunting, fishing, water rights and land claims court cases and explores rising strength of tribal energy resources. (DS)