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…

Examines the Cherokees' deliberate adoption of the laws of the white man, focusing on the blood feud--a retaliation system designed to deal with homicide. Discusses cultural bases of Cherokee law and factors influencing the change to a jury system and noted key events of the adoption period (1797 to 1840). (JHZ)

Despite attempts by Congress during the 1970s to reform and reorganize the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), it has maintained substantive control over reservation institutions. A key to understanding BIA resistance to change appears to lie in organizational imperative of area directors to preserve and enhance their control over bureaucratic…

The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (PRWORA) replaced Aid to Families with Dependent Children with Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), which establishes work-focused, time-limited welfare benefits. TANF permits tribes to receive funds directly from the federal government to administer their own…

As part of Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) funding, Tribal Priority Allocations (TPA) are the principal source of funds for tribal governments and agency offices at the reservation level. According to their unique needs and circumstances, tribes may prioritize funding among eight general categories: government, human services, education, public…

Consultants from Arizona State University and the Principal and Board of Trustees of the Blackwater Community School teamed together as partners and engaged in a process of school board training institutes endorsed by Public Law 95-56l which resulted in a policies and procedures manual for the operation of the school. (Author/CM)

The passage of the Indian Child Welfare Act has caused concern and misunderstanding among social workers. The Act is seen as a victory for tribal sovereignty but must be viewed within the context of American Indian culture and child rearing practices. (Author/JAC)

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…

The Tribal Issues Management System was adopted in 1990 by the Comanche tribe to end internal conflict and promote participative decision making by the tribal community. Such a return to community- and tribal-wide inclusive consideration of public concerns results in action, restores trust and harmonious relations, and recreates feelings of…

Much of the disarray in Native economic systems comes from their inability to control their assets. The greatest Native asset is Native people. Youth must be engaged from preschool through tribal colleges. Off-reservation tribal members must be engaged for their knowledge and networks. Tribal governments must encourage broad participation. Native…

Argues for local control of education by Native Canadians. Position based on benefits of parent responsibility, rather than on criticism of Canadian Indian policy or treaties. Examines Indian education history, noting positive examples of Native communities taking educational responsibility. Concludes local control makes good educational policy.…

Describes the history of taxation of Nebraska land held by federal government for Omaha and Winnebago Indians. Explains taxation of land "trust allotments" to individual Indians. Describes federal legislation of 1910 and 1916 that further authorized Nebraska taxation of land, causing many Indians to sell allotments. Contains 42…

Kevin Gover, Assistant Secretary of the Interior for the Bureau of Indian Affairs, reviews his first-year accomplishments and his relationship with Congress and the tribes, and discusses executive orders on tribal consultation and Indian education; agency budget priorities for law enforcement, education, and management of Indian trust assets;…

This report describes economic development projects that were funded during 1994-95 by the First Nations Development Institute. The Institute was established in 1980 to help tribes build sound, sustainable reservation economies. Through the Eagle Staff Fund, the Institute regrants funds for culturally viable economic development projects from a…