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.;…

State and local governments spend billions of dollars annually on the construction, renovation, and maintenance of public school facilities, yet concerns persist about the condition of some school facilities, particularly in school districts serving students residing on Indian lands. The Department of Education's (Education) Impact Aid Program…

Reports on the experiences of 22 service providers with 181 mentally ill reservation American Indians who would have required civil commitment to obtain appropriate psychiatric care. Compares the commitment procedures developed by five tribal governments, and discusses social and legal issues. Contains five references. (SV)

Describes the Kickapoo tribe's successful adaptation to federal policies of Indian self-determination during the 1970s and its devastation by budget cuts in the 1980s. Argues that the Indian Self-Determination Act of 1975 failed to establish concrete implementation mechanism, thereby impeding its own goals and perpetuating tribal dependence.…

A review of the literature was conducted to understand whether or not and how enterprise zones and other economic development strategies apply to Indian country. The review: (1) summarizes the effects of past and present federal policies on Indians and their economic development efforts; (2) examines the literature on enterprise zones, as…

A review of 1980 U.S. census figures indicates that there are 6.7 million Americans who claim American Indian ancestry, compared with 1.4 million who checked "American Indian" as their race. Responses on other sections of the 1980 census indicate different American Indian population totals. For the purposes of this report, the highest…

The relationship between Native Americans and the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) is ambivalent. Most BIA commissioners, like Dillon Myer, have been assimilationists who have tried to get the government "out of Indian business." Recent policies stressing self-determination are in jeopardy as pressure mounts for decreased federal domestic…

Relates the removal of the Palouse Indians to northeastern Oklahoma in 1878. Describes the conditions of their exile and the efforts that led to their eventual return to the Pacific Northwest in 1885. (NEC)

Uses census data, 1886-1900, to examine Northern Cheyenne child-spacing and effective fertility patterns as indicators of maternal and infant health. Concludes that, contrary to early interpretations of improved health among reservation populations, the Northern Cheyenne suffered health deterioration related to oppressive government political and…

The political status of First Nations peoples as sovereign nations under federal control creates unique opportunities for developing social and educational programs with revenues from Indigenous gaming ventures. In response to unmet human and social needs, strength-based approaches that empower Native people are especially critical in overcoming…

Based on interviews conducted on the Mohawk Reservation at Akwesasne in 1980, this article focuses on some of the spiritual values which have deep roots in Mohawk culture. (CM)

Brings together past and present aspects of Chippewa tribal experience at White Earth Reservation. Discusses: (1) land allotment and subsequent Congressional investigations; (2) treaties; (3) high-stakes bingo as economic windfall and test of tribal sovereignty; (4) educational experiences in federal boarding schools; and (5) religion,…

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…

A capsule history of the Yavapai tribe describes their origin myth; early life-style; increasing involvement with Apaches; leaders; response to White settlers; and resistance and ultimate capitulation to reservation life. The article details the horrors and aftermath of the 1875 forced march from the Verde Reservation to San Carlos. (SB)

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…