This informative guide thoroughly discusses the legal powers of Indian tribes; civil and criminal jurisdiction on Indian reservations; Indian hunting, fishing, and water rights; taxation in Indian country; the Indian Civil Rights Act; the Indian Child Welfare Act; and tribal jurisdiction over non-Indians.
This is exactly the kind of information we need to get out to Indian country. The book can help to advance the rights of Native Americans, because it explains the complex legal issues in a comprehensible, straightforward manner.” John E. Echohawk, Executive Director, Native American Rights Fund
Indian Country faces countless challenges regarding our historical, moral, and legal rights as tribal governments. As a tribal leader, I have found Stephen Pevar’s book to be both an excellent and useful resource to refresh my understanding of Indian law and rights. His book provides clear rationale on the many issues that surface in our dealings with federal, state, and local governments as well as the general public.”W. Ron Allen, Chairman, Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe and President, National Congress of American Indians, 19951999
The format of the book. . . anticipates questions that everyone has and gives a concise answer to them. People should find the book very helpful in understanding the complexity of Indian law.”Vine Deloria Jr., author of Custer Died for Your Sins and WeTalk, You Listen
Many federal employees, including myself, rely on the valuable information provided in this comprehensive and accessible handbook. This book gives clear, useful, and well-documented answers for anyone approaching the vast and often intimidating subject of Federal Indian law. I highly recommend it.”Lori Windle, Member, Minnesota Chippewa Tribe, and Videographer, Dept. of the Interior
Every Indian should have this book.”Vicky Santana, attorney and member of the Blackfeet Tribe of Montana
About the Author
Stephen L. Pevar is a Senior Staff Counsel for the ACLU. He has taught at the University of Denver School of Law and lectured extensively on the subject of Indian and tribal rights.
Product Details
Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Southern Illinois University Press; 1st edition (October 1, 2002)
This book is far from definitive, but is a good start. If the educational reformers wanted to really make positive change occur, they would find a way to put this book in the hands of every high school government teacher in the United States. Those teachers who actually read it could then be pointed toward the exceptional works that go into more depth by Charles Wilkinson, David Wilkins, Robert A. Williams, Vine Deloria, Jr., Frank Pommersheim, and the definitive Westlaw Casebook, edited by David H. Getches, Wilkinson, and Williams, now in its fourth edition.
In teaching American Indian history, I find that I often refer to this little primer, but nearly always have to go beyond it to find out what I need. However, I have found it particularly useful for those on a limited budget who need something that provides a basic overview of the critical areas of the laws affecting Native peoples and Indian tribes.
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This book should be required for all young Indian students interested in preserving tribal rights and customs. It is a quick and easy to read reference for class and personal use. Anyone (including non-Indians) interested in learning about tribal reserved treaty rights needs to read this book.
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Eye opening outline of United States policy concerning the American Indian. The perfect quick reference guide. Includes a historical reference from colonial American and continues through current legislation.
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