Discusses the nature of the trust responsibility of the federal government toward American Indians and what primacy it has in the pyramid of federal values and decision making. Examines the contested origins of the federal trust doctrine, negative and positive aspects of the relationship, three kinds of trust responsibility, and the enforceability…

Legal gaming operations are permitting various Indian nations to build strong economies and well-managed tribal governments that fund education and social services as first priorities. Experiences of the Wisconsin Oneida and Mashantucket Pequot (Connecticut) demonstrate that when access to resources and markets is not prevented, Indians have a…

Profiles American Indian and Alaska Native leaders of the 1970s: Lucy Covington (Colville), who blocked tribal termination; Joe DeLaCruz (Quinault), Reuben Snake (Winnebago), and Peter MacDonald (Navajo), tribal presidents who enforced tribal sovereignty; Ada Deer (Menominee) and other graduates of the American Indian Law Center's summer programs;…

Kake Tribal Corporation's purchase of a seafood cold storage facility in southeast Alaska is an example of the growing economic clout of Alaska's tribal corporations. However, many claim that the pro-development forces of corporations are weakening the subsistence economy and culture of Alaska Natives. Conflicts involve Native hunting and fishing…

Criticizes legislation sponsored by Senator Slade Gorton and other Republican members of Congress that would weaken tribal sovereignty and the federal government's trust responsibility. Republican proposals have included limiting tribal jurisdiction of reservation lands, drastically reducing Bureau of Indian Affairs spending, taxing the Indian…

The Tribal Issues Management System was adopted in 1990 by the Comanche tribe to end internal conflict and promote participative decision making by the tribal community. Such a return to community- and tribal-wide inclusive consideration of public concerns results in action, restores trust and harmonious relations, and recreates feelings of…

Much of the disarray in Native economic systems comes from their inability to control their assets. The greatest Native asset is Native people. Youth must be engaged from preschool through tribal colleges. Off-reservation tribal members must be engaged for their knowledge and networks. Tribal governments must encourage broad participation. Native…

Mainstream media spreads misperceptions that American Indian gaming benefits just a few, is not well regulated, and encourages criminal activity. The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act mandates that gaming revenues fund tribal government programs; now that they have their own revenue, tribes are enthusiastically funding educational programs to maintain…