This article explores the ways in which social studies classrooms can explore the history and status of U.S. territories as "unincorporated." We focus on the "Insular Cases" and in particular "Downes v. Bidwell" (1901), examine the construct of colonies as anathema to democracy, and explore the precedents court case…

In June 2014, the Supreme Court of Canada held that Aboriginal title should be granted to the Tsilhqo'tin Nation over a portion of its traditional territory in British Columbia.1 This was the first time that a Canadian court had granted Aboriginal title to a specific land area. The court noted that Aboriginal title is collective title held for…

This synthetic review aims to unite a seemingly disjoint collection of studies over the past 3 decades around their shared examination of sexism in an often overlooked U.S. population, namely girls attending private Christian schools. This undertaking reveals substantial harms that I categorize as those of immediacy and potentiality, which are…

This article is adapted from "Chew Heong v. United States: Chinese Exclusion and the Federal Courts", written by Lucy Salyer, associate professor of history at the University of New Hampshire, for inclusion in the Federal Judicial Center's project, "Federal Trials and Great Debates in United States History." In 1882, Congress…

The No Child Left Behind Act (NCLBA) requires states and the Department of the Interior's Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) to define and determine whether schools are making adequate yearly progress (AYP) toward the goal of 100 percent academic proficiency. To address tribes' needs for cultural preservation, NCLBA allows tribal groups to waive all…

The Washington Report currently identifies, analyzes and tracks legislation, administrative agencies' regulations and supreme court decisions relating to Indian affairs. (Author)

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…

Changes in government policy during the 1960s caused Canada's Indians to lose much of their special status as well as certain treaty and aboriginal rights. Article looks at past and present of Indian law, present status of the government-Indian relationship, and struggle of the Indians to achieve self-determination. (DS)

Examines social forces, legal processes, governmental policies, and health care practices that combine to perpetuate inadequate health service delivery to Canadian Native communities. Cites 8 statutes and 31 court cases relevant to Indian health jurisdictional issues. Contains 57 other references. (SV)

Discusses California Indian Claims Cases, focussing on the Indians of California Case. Presents a background sketch of the major claims and the nature of influences determining the wording of petitions, particularly in the Missions Indian Claims Case in which anthropological misunderstanding of socio-political-territorial organizations created…

After the Aneth Extension (Utah) was added to the Navajo Reservation in 1933, Congress provided that part of natural resource royalties go to the state to finance education and other services for Navajo residents. These funds were squandered. A Utah Supreme Court case over dual taxation by state and tribe of non-Indian resource lessees is…

Overview of some of the most important Indian court cases of the last decade, including ones regarding treaty rights, tribal jurisdiction and sovereignty, tax jurisdiction, land claims, and hunting and fishing rights. (DS)

Examines circumstances of Californian Indians' unacknowledged and terminated tribes, the legal history and current status of their claims, and cultural and economic problems facing many tribes. Recommends a study of California Indian conditions leading to appropriate comprehensive federal legislation. Includes lists of restoration and…

Reviews history of Arizona Indian voting rights. Details current dispute over voting rights in Apache County (Arizona). Explores three unanswered questions in light of current constitutional interpretation. Stresses solution to political disputes will require climate of mutual trust, awareness of constitutional rights/obligations of all concerned,…

First tracing the historical background of Canadian-Indian policy, article then presents an in-depth analysis of the Indian Act, the mainstay of that policy. Apparently little has changed over the years: the Indian Act continues to thwart Indian sovereignty and self-determination. (Author/DS)