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This book describes the struggle of Indian tribes and their governments to achieve freedom and self-determination despite repeated attempts by foreign governments to dominate, exterminate, or assimilate them. Drawing on the disciplines of political science, history, law, and anthropology and written in a direct, readable style,
American Indian Tribal Governments is a comprehensive introduction to traditional tribal governments, to the history of Indian-white relations, to the structure and legal rights of modern tribal governments, and to the changing roles of federal and state governments in relation to modem tribal governments. Publication of this book fills a gap in American Indian studies, providing scholars with a basis from which to begin an integrated study of tribal government, providing teachers with an excellent introductory textbook, and providing general readers with an accessible and complete introduction to American Indian history and government.
The book's unique structure allows coverage of a great breadth of information while avoiding the common mistake of generalizing about all tribes and cultures. An introductory section presents the basic themes of the book and describes the traditional governments of five tribes chosen for their geographic and cultural diversity-the Senecas, the Muscogees, the Lakotas, the Isleta Pueblo, and the Yakimas. The next three chapters review the history of Indian-white relations from the time Christopher Columbus discovered America to the present. Then the history and modem government of each of the five tribes presented earlier is examined in detail. The final chapters analyze the evolution and current legal powers of tribal governments, the tribal-federal relationship, and the tribal-state relationship.
American Indian Tribal Governments illuminates issues of tribal sovereignty
and shows how tribes are protecting
and expanding their control of tribal
membership, legal systems, child welfare,
land and resource use, hunting
and fishing, business regulation, education,
and social services. Other examples
show tribes negotiating with
state and federal governments to alleviate
sources of conflict, including issues
of criminal and civil jurisdiction, taxation,
hunting and fishing rights, and
control of natural resources.
Excerpts from historical and modem
documents and speeches highlight
the text, and more than one hundred
photos, maps, and charts show tribal
life, government, and interaction with
white society as it was and is. Included
as well are a glossary and a chronology
of important events.
Info autore
Sharon O'Brien, who received the Ph.D. in political science from the University of Oregon, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Government and International Studies, University of Notre Dame.
