THE AMERICAN INDIAN POLICY SINCE 1934
HISTORY OF FEDERAL INDIAN POLICY SINCE 1934 (THE FUTURE)

Home
HISTORY OF FEDERAL INDIAN POLICY SINCE 1934 (THE FUTURE)

THE FUTURE

 

The future of federal Indian policy is impossible to predict. During the past forty years alone, Congress has radically altered its Indian policies three times. Although current policy is aimed at strengthening tribal self-government, this can change at any time.

 

In recent years, Indian tribes have increasingly asserted their treaty and statutory rights. Such activity is bitterly opposed by certain non-Indian groups, some of which are aggressively seeking the enactment of federal laws abolishing Indian and tribal rights. In fact, the failure of these groups, some of which are well financed, to push through harmful Indian legislation is itself a significant victory for Indian interests. A recent Senate commission report endorses the continued strengthening of tribal governments:

 

The long-term objective of Federal-Indian policy [should] be the development of tribal governments into fully operational governments exercising the same power and shouldering the same responsibilities as other local governments. This objective should be pursued in a flexible manner which will respect and accommodate the unique cultural and social attributes of the individual Indian tribes.

 

In 1983 President Reagan reaffirmed the federal governments policy of promoting tribal self-determination: This administration intends to restore tribal governments to their rightful place among governments of this nation and to enable tribal governments, along with State and local governments, to resume control over their own affairs. This policy should be pursued in the future.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

          NOTES

 

  • THE RIGHTS OF INDIANS AND TRIBES (by Stephan L. Bevar, Southern University Press 2nd edition 1992)
  • AMERICAN INDIAN POLICY IN THE 20th CENTURY (by Vine Deloria Junior, University of  Oklahoma Press Edition 1985)
  • DOCUMENTS OF AMERICAN INDIAN POLICY (by Francis L. Prucha, University of  Nebraska Press Edition 1990)
  • HANDBOOK OF FEDERAL INDIAN LAW (by Felix S.Cohen Edition William S.Hein 1988)
  • ENCYCLOPEDIA OF AMERICAN INDIAN CIVIL RIGHTS (by James S.Olson Greenwood Press 1997)
  • INDIAN TRIBES AS SOVEREIGN GOVERNMENTS (by Sharon O'Brien Oklahoma Press Edition)
  • THE GREAT FATHER (University of Nebraska Press Edition 1991)

       This site is built by Cagda YURDAYUKSEL (6th form AFB 2002)

aitg70.jpg