According to anthropologists, the Hidatsa people resided at Spirit Lake, North Dakota, until circa 1500. A Hidatsa leader had a dream in which he was requested to move west to the Missouri River, where the Hidatsa then established a village near present-day Stanton, North Dakota (Bowers, 1992, p. 22; Milligan, 1972; Document on Hidatsa, n.d.;…

Indigenous sovereignty is an essential component of civics education. Historical and contemporary examples of infringements on the sovereign rights of Native nations exist, in part, due to the disregard of tribal sovereignty, nationhood, and citizenship. Given the aims of inquiry leading to informed action, we see a strong fit for using the…

The recognition and implementation of American Indian treaty rights beginning in the last quarter of the twentieth century are transforming the ways in which landscapes are managed, tribal and state institutions are structured, and civic identities are constructed in a number of states that surround Indian nations. This national treaty-rights…

In the spring of 2015, the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction brought together tribal Elders from across North Dakota to share stories, memories, songs, and wisdom in order to develop the North Dakota Native American Essential Understandings (NDNAEU) to guide the learning of both Native and non-Native students across the state. They…

In September 1830 the U.S. government negotiated the Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek with some leaders of the Choctaw Nation. The treaty reinforced the congressional Indian Removal Act of 1830, which paved the way for the large-scale physical removal of tens of thousands of tribal people of the southeast, including many of the Choctaw. It provided…

During treaty negotiations with federal Indian agents in 1851, Taoyateduta (Little Crow), a Dakota representative, warned that the council members would "talk of nothing else" until conflicts related to the previous Treaty of 1837 had been resolved. His statement is surprising, given that government officials at the time, as well as subsequent…

Discusses the history of Indian, Chicano, and Puerto Rican colleges in the United States. Describes some of the current legal and legislative concerns facing these institutions, particularly in the areas of funding and accreditation. (EKN)

In a thorough analysis of researching the regulation of the banking industry in the United States, Zoller (2000) demonstrated a number of paths among federal documents of various agencies within the Department of the Treasury, including the legislation that created these entities, and to relevant online resources. This latter opportunity included…

In 1987, the United States Senate established the Special Committee to investigate American Indian affairs. Fraud, corruption, and mismanagement were found pervading the institutions serving American Indians. Corruption was also discovered in Indian tribal governments. The Committee faulted Congress for failing to adequately oversee and reform…

Examines the content of a university geography course on American Indians. Discusses the role of geography curriculum in teaching cultural diversity. Summarizes three lectures on the Great Lakes Chippewa. Describes student projects, outside activities, and learning evaluation. States that students improved geographical skills and increased…

After years of hardship and despite owning only 12 percent of its own reservation, the Nez Perce tribe is successfully pursuing community development. Factors include energetic tribal government, good intratribal communications, integrated planning for economic development and forest resource management, and emphasis on cultural preservation and…

Lack of access to information has been one of the most difficult problems Native Americans have faced in trying to obtain a college education. Attempting to meet the need for more information on the rights and opportunities for Indian students, this report explores the funding sources available to Indian students, describes problems confronting…

This handbook presents information and resource materials on various aspects of Native American education. Chapters 1-2 trace the history of Native education in the 18th-20th centuries, including the loss of Indian lands and movement west, Christian conversion and acculturation as the main motivations for providing Native American education,…

Presents interesting and concise background material on an 1874 treaty between Canadian Indians and colonists concerning hunting and fishing rights. Includes a copy of the treaty as well as learning activities utilizing document analysis. The activities ask pertinent questions of each paragraph in the document. (MJP)

Legal, philosophical, legislative, historical, and international aspects of the issue of Indian tribal sovereignty and treaty rights are presented in six articles based on transcripted proceedings of a forum held at San Diego State University April 12-14, 1978. In the introduction, Sam Deloria examines various definitions of tribal sovereignty. In…