Baffled by the stereotypes presented by Hollywood and much historical
fiction, many other Americans find the contemporary American Indian an
enigma. Compounding their confusion is the highly publicized struggle of
the contemporary Indian for self-determination, lost land, cultural
preservation, and fundamental human rights - a struggle dramatized both
by public acts of protest and by precedent-setting legal actions. More
and more, the battles of American Indians are fought - and won - in the
political arena and the courts.
American Indians, American Justice explores the complexities of the
present Indian situation, particularly with regard to legal and
political rights. It is the first book to present an overview of federal
Indian law in language accessible to the layperson. Remarkably
comprehensive, it is destined to become a standard source book for all
concerned with the plight of the contemporary Indian.
Beginning with an examination of the historical relationship of Indians
and the courts, the authors describe how tribal courts developed and
operate today, and how they relate to federal and state governments.
They define such key legal concepts as tribal sovereignty and Indian
Country. By comparing and contrasting the workings of Indian and
non-Indian legal institutions, the authors illustrate how Indian tribes
have adapted their customs, values, and institutions to the demands of
the modern world. Describing the activities of attorneys and Indian
advocates in asserting and defending Indian rights, they identify the
difficulties typically faced by Indians in the criminal and civil legal
arenas and explore the public policy and legal rights of Indians as
regards citizenship, voting rights, religious freedom, and basic
governmental services.
