Synopses & Reviews
The history and politics of American Indians unique constitutional status from a renowned scholar Few Americans know that Indian tribes have a legal status unique among Americas distinct racial and ethnic groups: They are also sovereign governments that engage in governmental relations with Congress. The self-rule of Native tribes long predates the founding of the United States, and that peculiar status has led to legal and political disputeswith vast sums of money hanging in the balance. From cigarette taxes to control of environmental resources to gambling law, the history of American Indians and American law has been one of clashing values and sometimes uneasy compromise.
In this clear-sighted account, American Indian scholar N. Bruce Duthu explains the landmark cases in Indian law of the past two centuries and demonstrates their common thread throughout history, giving us an accessible entry point into a vital facet of Indian history. American Indians and the Law provides an overview of the major events, the differing principles, and the evolving perspectives that have governed relations among the tribes, the federal government, and the states since the founding of this country.
Review
A concise history of the law and a stout defense of tribal rights, useful to the practitioner and, ever rarer, accessible to the general reader.
--Kirkus Revies
Using numerous legal cases, Duthu, a lawyer and Houma Indian Nation tribal member, demonstrates how Indian sovereignty has affected the way in which the rights of native peoples have been addressed by the legal systems in the United States
This outstanding overview of the morass that is the legal relationship between Indian nations and the United States is highly recommended for public and academic libraries.
--Library Journal
Synopsis
The history and politics of American Indians' unique constitutional status from a renowned scholar
Few Americans know that Indian tribes have a legal status unique among America's distinct racial and ethnic groups: They are also sovereign governments that engage in governmental relations with Congress. The self-rule of Native tribes long predates the founding of the United States, and that peculiar status has led to legal and political disputes-with vast sums of money hanging in the balance. From cigarette taxes to control of environmental resources to gambling law, the history of American Indians and American law has been one of clashing values and sometimes uneasy compromise.
In this clear-sighted account, American Indian scholar N. Bruce Duthu explains the landmark cases in Indian law of the past two centuries and demonstrates their common thread throughout history, giving us an accessible entry point into a vital facet of Indian history. American Indians and the Law provides an overview of the major events, the differing principles, and the evolving perspectives that have governed relations among the tribes, the federal government, and the states since the founding of this country.
Synopsis
A perfect introduction to a vital subject very few Americans understand-the constitutional status of American IndiansFew American s know that Indian tribes have a legal status unique among America's distinct racial and ethnic groups: they are sovereign governments who engage in relations with Congress. This peculiar arrangement has led to frequent legal and political disputes-indeed, the history of American Indians and American law has been one of clashing values and sometimes uneasy compromise. In this clear-sighted account, American Indian scholar N. Bruce Duthu explains the landmark cases in Indian law of the past two centuries. Exploring subjects as diverse as jurisdictional authority, control of environmental resources, and the regulations that allow the operation of gambling casinos, American Indians and the Law gives us an accessible entry point into a vital facet of Indian history.
About the Author
N. Bruce Duthu, JD, is an internationally recognized scholar on Native American issues, including tribal sovereignty and federal recognition of Indian tribes. He is a professor of law at the Vermont Law School and a United Houma Indian Nation tribal member.