Native Americans and the law

The A-Z entries in this volume answer the most commonly asked questions about the laws as they affect Native Americans.

"How is a person identified as a Native American? Can Native American tribes act independently of state governments? What are the unique features of a reservation? What are the Supreme Court's "Canons of Construction" as applied to Indian Law? To gain a full appreciation of the unusual and intricate legal situation of the Native Americans, one can now consult a first-of-its-kind reference work, Native Americans and the Law: a Dictionary

This jargon-free, reader-friendly volume sets the record straight and answers the most commonly asked questions about laws as they affect Native Americans. The dictionary outlines the historical development of applicable state and federal laws, rulings, and administrative decisions; explores complex legal issues and precedents; discusses traditional Indian approaches to resolving disputes; and explains how the present-day Native American legal structure came about. An excellent source for exploring such subjects as the American Indian Movement, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, checkerboarded lands, the Indian Child Welfare Act, inherent sovereignty, water rights, and more, this reference work serves many users: Layers looking for a summary of Native American Legal issues, researchers needing a refresher or a first-stop source, students and teachers interested in an overview of the field, as well as laypersons seeking information and insights into this uniquely American field of Jurisprudence.

Native Americans and the Law is part of ABC-CLIO's Contemporary Legal Issues series, which addresses, in language understandable by the layperson, areas of the law of great relevance and interest to a wide range of readers. Each book contains an introduction to the subject, a dictionary of concepts, terms, legislation, agencies, organizations, events, and individuals, a table of cases, a bibliography, and an index." -- Provided by Publisher