This work covers the foundational principles of American Indian law. Comprehensive in scope, it provides descriptions of fundamental terms and addresses Indian statutes and treaties, tribal governance, the federal–tribal relationship, and Congressional powers over Indian affairs.
Reporter:
Matthew L.M. Fletcher, Michigan State University College of Law
Associate Reporters:
Wenona T. Singel, Michigan State University College of Law
Kaighn Smith, Jr., Drummond Woodsum, Portland ME
Tentative Draft No. 4 contains § 10 of Chapter 1, Federal-Tribal Relations; § 33 of Chapter 2, Subchapter 2, The Powers of Indian Tribes; §§36, 36A and 37-43 of Chapter 3, Subchapter 1, State Authority; §§ 52-55 of Chapter 4, Subchapter 1, Indian Tribes as Economic Regulators; §§ 63, and 67-68 of Chapter 4, Subchapter 2, Indian Tribes as Economic Actors; and Chapter 6, Natural Resources. This draft was prepared for consideration at the 2020 Annual Meeting, which was cancelled. The draft has not been considered by the membership of ALI and therefore does not represent the position of the Institute on any of the issues with which it deals. The draft may be revised or supplemented prior to consideration by the membership in 2021.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Project Status at a Glance xi
Foreword xiii
Reporters’ Memorandum xvii
CHAPTER 3
STATE–TRIBAL RELATIONS
Subchapter 2 – The Indian Child Welfare Act and Similar State Laws
Reporters’ Introductory Note About the Indian Child Welfare Act and Similar
State Laws 1
§ 44. Application of the Indian Child Welfare Act 4
§ 45. Tribal Jurisdiction over Indian Child-Welfare Matters 11
§ 46. State-Court Jurisdiction 12
§ 47. Obligation to Notify Indian Child’s Parents, Custodians, and Indian Tribes 23
§ 48. Right to Intervene in State-Court Indian Child-Welfare Matters 28
§ 49. Dismissal of Indian Child-Welfare Matters When Tribe Has Exclusive
Jurisdiction 30
§ 50. Transfer of Indian Child-Welfare Matters When Tribal and State Courts Share
Concurrent Jurisdiction 32
§ 51. Termination of the Rights of an Indian Parent 34
CHAPTER 4
TRIBAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Subchapter 2 – Indian Tribes as Economic Actors
§ 58. Tribal Economic Enterprises 39
§ 59. Sovereign Immunity of Indian Tribes and Arms of Tribes 44
§ 60. Sovereign Immunity of Tribal Corporations Formed Pursuant to the Indian
Reorganization Act and the Oklahoma Indian Welfare Act 49
§ 61. Sovereign Immunity of Tribal Corporations and Other Business Associations
Formed Pursuant to Tribal Law 51
§ 62. Sovereign Immunity of Corporations and Other Business Associations
Formed by Indian Tribes Pursuant to State Law 56
§ 63. State-Court Subject-Matter Jurisdiction over Actions to Enforce Economic
Obligations Entered into by Indian Tribes and Their Economic Enterprises
[Reserved] 61
§ 64. Federal-Court Jurisdiction over Actions to Enforce Economic Obligations
Entered into by Indian Tribes and by Tribal Corporations:
Diversity of Citizenship 61
§ 65. Federal-Court Jurisdiction over Actions to Enforce Economic
Obligations Involving Indian Tribes: Federal Questions 68
§ 66. Federal-Court Jurisdiction over Actions Arising Under Federal Indian
Common Law: Federal Questions 74
CHAPTER 5
INDIAN COUNTRY CRIMINAL JURISDICTION
Reporters’ Introductory Note About Indian Country Criminal Jurisdiction 79
Indian Country Criminal Jurisdictional Chart 80
§ 100. Indian Country 82
§ 101. Indian Status 86
§ 102. Scope of Federal Criminal Jurisdiction in Indian Country 89
§ 103. Scope of State Criminal Jurisdiction in Indian Country 97
§ 104. Federal Statutory Authorization of State Jurisdiction over Indian
Country Crimes 101
§ 105. Scope of Tribal Criminal Jurisdiction 104
§ 106. Constitutional Rights of Persons Subject to Tribal Criminal Jurisdiction 108
§ 107. Federal Habeas Rights of Persons Detained by Indian Tribes 111
§ 108. Double Jeopardy 112
Appendix A. Black Letter of Tentative Draft No. 3 115
Appendix B. Other Relevant Black-Letter Text 125
Tentative Draft No. 3 contains Chapter 3, Subchapter 2, §§ 44-51 (State-Tribal Relations–The Indian Child Welfare Act and Similar State Laws); Chapter 4, Subchapter 2, §§ 58-62 and 64-66 (Tribal Economic Development – Indian Tribes as Economic Actors); and Chapter 5, §§ 100-108 (Indian Country Criminal Jurisdiction). The draft was approved by the membership at the 2019 Annual Meeting, subject to the discussion at the Meeting and to the usual editorial prerogative. This material may be cited as representing the Institute’s position until the official text of the entire project is published.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Project Status at a Glance xi
Foreword xiii
Reporters’ Memorandum xvii
CHAPTER 3
STATE–TRIBAL RELATIONS
Subchapter 2 – The Indian Child Welfare Act and Similar State Laws
Reporters’ Introductory Note About the Indian Child Welfare Act and Similar
State Laws 1
§ 44. Application of the Indian Child Welfare Act 4
§ 45. Tribal Jurisdiction over Indian Child-Welfare Matters 11
§ 46. State-Court Jurisdiction 12
§ 47. Obligation to Notify Indian Child’s Parents, Custodians, and Indian Tribes 23
§ 48. Right to Intervene in State-Court Indian Child-Welfare Matters 28
§ 49. Dismissal of Indian Child-Welfare Matters When Tribe Has Exclusive
Jurisdiction 30
§ 50. Transfer of Indian Child-Welfare Matters When Tribal and State Courts Share
Concurrent Jurisdiction 32
§ 51. Termination of the Rights of an Indian Parent 34
CHAPTER 4
TRIBAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Subchapter 2 – Indian Tribes as Economic Actors
§ 58. Tribal Economic Enterprises 39
§ 59. Sovereign Immunity of Indian Tribes and Arms of Tribes 44
§ 60. Sovereign Immunity of Tribal Corporations Formed Pursuant to the Indian
Reorganization Act and the Oklahoma Indian Welfare Act 49
§ 61. Sovereign Immunity of Tribal Corporations and Other Business Associations
Formed Pursuant to Tribal Law 51
§ 62. Sovereign Immunity of Corporations and Other Business Associations
Formed by Indian Tribes Pursuant to State Law 56
§ 63. State-Court Subject-Matter Jurisdiction over Actions to Enforce Economic
Obligations Entered into by Indian Tribes and Their Economic Enterprises
[Reserved] 61
§ 64. Federal-Court Jurisdiction over Actions to Enforce Economic Obligations
Entered into by Indian Tribes and by Tribal Corporations:
Diversity of Citizenship 61
§ 65. Federal-Court Jurisdiction over Actions to Enforce Economic
Obligations Involving Indian Tribes: Federal Questions 68
§ 66. Federal-Court Jurisdiction over Actions Arising Under Federal Indian
Common Law: Federal Questions 74
CHAPTER 5
INDIAN COUNTRY CRIMINAL JURISDICTION
Reporters’ Introductory Note About Indian Country Criminal Jurisdiction 79
Indian Country Criminal Jurisdictional Chart 80
§ 100. Indian Country 82
§ 101. Indian Status 86
§ 102. Scope of Federal Criminal Jurisdiction in Indian Country 89
§ 103. Scope of State Criminal Jurisdiction in Indian Country 97
§ 104. Federal Statutory Authorization of State Jurisdiction over Indian
Country Crimes 101
§ 105. Scope of Tribal Criminal Jurisdiction 104
§ 106. Constitutional Rights of Persons Subject to Tribal Criminal Jurisdiction 108
§ 107. Federal Habeas Rights of Persons Detained by Indian Tribes 111
§ 108. Double Jeopardy 112
Appendix A. Black Letter of Tentative Draft No. 3 115
Appendix B. Other Relevant Black-Letter Text 125
Tentative Draft No. 3 contains Chapter 3, Subchapter 2, §§ 44-51 (State-Tribal Relations–The Indian Child Welfare Act and Similar State Laws); Chapter 4, Subchapter 2, §§ 58-62 and 64-66 (Tribal Economic Development – Indian Tribes as Economic Actors); and Chapter 5, §§ 100-108 (Indian Country Criminal Jurisdiction). The draft was approved by the membership at the 2019 Annual Meeting, subject to the discussion at the Meeting and to the usual editorial prerogative. This material may be cited as representing the Institute’s position until the official text of the entire project is published.
Project Status at a Glance................................................................................................... xi
Reporters’ Memorandum................................................................................................. xvii
Chapter 2
Tribal Authority
Reporters’ Introductory Note [to come]
Definitions
§ 15. Indian Lands............................................................................................................... 1
§ 16. Nonmember Lands..................................................................................................... 6
Subchapter 1 – Tribal Sovereignty in General
Reporters’ Introduction [to come]
§ 20. Sources of Tribal Authority........................................................................................ 8
§ 21. Scope of Tribal Authority......................................................................................... 15
§ 22. Federal Statutory Regulation of Tribal Authority.................................................... 18
§ 23. Constitutional Rights of Persons Under Tribal Jurisdiction..................................... 21
Subchapter 2 – The Powers of Indian Tribes
§ 24. The Power to Establish a Form of Government....................................................... 27
§ 25. The Power to Define Tribal Membership or Citizenship Criteria............................. 30
§ 26. The Power to Regulate Domestic Relations............................................................. 35
§ 27. The Power to Prescribe Rules of Inheritance............................................................ 37
§ 28. The Power to Tax...................................................................................................... 39
§ 29. The Power to Exclude.............................................................................................. 42
§ 30. The Power to Regulate the Use and Disposition of Property and Natural
Resources................................................................................................................. 45
§ 31. The Power to Enforce Laws..................................................................................... 48
§ 32. Tribal Sovereign Immunity....................................................................................... 51
§ 34. Civil Regulatory and Adjudicatory Authority over Nonmembers........................... 58
§ 35. Tribal-Court Exhaustion Rule................................................................................... 70
Appendix A. Black Letter of Tentative Draft No. 2..................................................... 77
Appendix B. Other Relevant Black-Letter Text........................................................... 81
Tentative Draft No. 2 contains Chapter 2, Tribal Authority (§§ 15-16, 20-32, 34-35). The draft was approved by the membership at the 2018 Annual Meeting, subject to the discussion at the Meeting and the usual editorial prerogative. This material may be cited as representing the Institute’s position until the official text of the entire project is published.
Project Status at a Glance................................................................................................... xi
Reporters’ Memorandum................................................................................................. xvii
Chapter 2
Tribal Authority
Reporters’ Introductory Note [to come]
Definitions
§ 15. Indian Lands............................................................................................................... 1
§ 16. Nonmember Lands..................................................................................................... 6
Subchapter 1 – Tribal Sovereignty in General
Reporters’ Introduction [to come]
§ 20. Sources of Tribal Authority........................................................................................ 8
§ 21. Scope of Tribal Authority......................................................................................... 15
§ 22. Federal Statutory Regulation of Tribal Authority.................................................... 18
§ 23. Constitutional Rights of Persons Under Tribal Jurisdiction..................................... 21
Subchapter 2 – The Powers of Indian Tribes
§ 24. The Power to Establish a Form of Government....................................................... 27
§ 25. The Power to Define Tribal Membership or Citizenship Criteria............................. 30
§ 26. The Power to Regulate Domestic Relations............................................................. 35
§ 27. The Power to Prescribe Rules of Inheritance............................................................ 37
§ 28. The Power to Tax...................................................................................................... 39
§ 29. The Power to Exclude.............................................................................................. 42
§ 30. The Power to Regulate the Use and Disposition of Property and Natural
Resources................................................................................................................. 45
§ 31. The Power to Enforce Laws..................................................................................... 48
§ 32. Tribal Sovereign Immunity....................................................................................... 51
§ 34. Civil Regulatory and Adjudicatory Authority over Nonmembers........................... 58
§ 35. Tribal-Court Exhaustion Rule................................................................................... 70
Appendix A. Black Letter of Tentative Draft No. 2..................................................... 77
Appendix B. Other Relevant Black-Letter Text........................................................... 81
Tentative Draft No. 2 contains Chapter 2, Tribal Authority (§§ 15-16, 20-32, 34-35). The draft was approved by the membership at the 2018 Annual Meeting, subject to the discussion at the Meeting and the usual editorial prerogative. This material may be cited as representing the Institute’s position until the official text of the entire project is published.
Softbound | 1R3LAIDD2 | 2014 | 232 pages | $35.00
Foreword
Reporters’ Memorandum
Draft Outline of Chapter 2 Tribal Governance
Draft Outline of Chapter 4 Economic Relations
CHAPTER 1 FEDERAL–TRIBAL RELATIONS
Introductory Note
Introduction
GENERAL TERMS
§ 1. Indian
§ 2 Indian tribe
§ 3 Indian country
AMERICAN INDIAN TREATY LAW
§ 4. American Indian Treaties
§ 5. Canons of Construction of Indian Treaties
CONGRESSIONAL AUTHORITY
§ 6. Congressional Legislative Jurisdiction
§ 7. Canon of Construction of Indian Statutes
§ 8. Political-Status Classification
FEDERAL–TRIBAL TRUST RELATIONSHIP
§ 9. General Federal Trust Relationship with Indian Tribes and Individual Indians
§ 10. Suits by Indians and Tribes Against the United States for Money Damages
§ 11. Suits by Indians and Tribes Against the United States for Equitable and Other Relief
MISCELLANEOUS
§ 12. Reservation Boundaries
Appendix. Black Letter of Discussion Draft No. 2
This draft includes a comprehensive survey of the history of American Indian law and policy. It was submitted, for discussion only, at the 2014 Annual Meeting. As planned, no vote was taken.
Softbound | 1R3LAIDD2 | 2014 | 232 pages | $35.00
Foreword
Reporters’ Memorandum
Draft Outline of Chapter 2 Tribal Governance
Draft Outline of Chapter 4 Economic Relations
CHAPTER 1 FEDERAL–TRIBAL RELATIONS
Introductory Note
Introduction
GENERAL TERMS
§ 1. Indian
§ 2 Indian tribe
§ 3 Indian country
AMERICAN INDIAN TREATY LAW
§ 4. American Indian Treaties
§ 5. Canons of Construction of Indian Treaties
CONGRESSIONAL AUTHORITY
§ 6. Congressional Legislative Jurisdiction
§ 7. Canon of Construction of Indian Statutes
§ 8. Political-Status Classification
FEDERAL–TRIBAL TRUST RELATIONSHIP
§ 9. General Federal Trust Relationship with Indian Tribes and Individual Indians
§ 10. Suits by Indians and Tribes Against the United States for Money Damages
§ 11. Suits by Indians and Tribes Against the United States for Equitable and Other Relief
MISCELLANEOUS
§ 12. Reservation Boundaries
Appendix. Black Letter of Discussion Draft No. 2
This draft includes a comprehensive survey of the history of American Indian law and policy. It was submitted, for discussion only, at the 2014 Annual Meeting. As planned, no vote was taken.
Softbound | 1R3LAIDD | 2013 | 177 pages | $30.00
Foreword
Reporters’ Memorandum
CHAPTER 1
FEDERAL–TRIBAL RELATIONS
Introductory Note
§ 1. Definitions
§ 2. Congressional Legislative Jurisdiction
§ 3. Federal Trust Relationship with Indian Tribes and Individual Indians
§ 4. Congressional Authority over Internal Tribal Governance
§ 5. Congress’s Authority Is Exclusive as to State Law
§ 6. Congressional Delegation of Indian-Affairs Authority
§ 7. Canon of Construction of Indian Statutes
§ 8. Political-Status Classification
§ 9. Executive-Branch Indian-Affairs Authority and Trust Responsibility
§ 10. American Indian Treaties
§ 11. Federal Recognition of Indian Tribes
§ 12. Indian-Country Boundaries
§ 13. Federal Statutes of General Applicability
§ 14. Federal Judicial Deference to Congressional Policy
Appendix. Black Letter of Discussion Draft
This draft includes a comprehensive survey of the history of American Indian law and policy. It was submitted, for discussion only, at the 2013 Annual Meeting. As planned, no vote was taken.
Softbound | 1R3LAIDD | 2013 | 177 pages | $30.00
Foreword
Reporters’ Memorandum
CHAPTER 1
FEDERAL–TRIBAL RELATIONS
Introductory Note
§ 1. Definitions
§ 2. Congressional Legislative Jurisdiction
§ 3. Federal Trust Relationship with Indian Tribes and Individual Indians
§ 4. Congressional Authority over Internal Tribal Governance
§ 5. Congress’s Authority Is Exclusive as to State Law
§ 6. Congressional Delegation of Indian-Affairs Authority
§ 7. Canon of Construction of Indian Statutes
§ 8. Political-Status Classification
§ 9. Executive-Branch Indian-Affairs Authority and Trust Responsibility
§ 10. American Indian Treaties
§ 11. Federal Recognition of Indian Tribes
§ 12. Indian-Country Boundaries
§ 13. Federal Statutes of General Applicability
§ 14. Federal Judicial Deference to Congressional Policy
Appendix. Black Letter of Discussion Draft
This draft includes a comprehensive survey of the history of American Indian law and policy. It was submitted, for discussion only, at the 2013 Annual Meeting. As planned, no vote was taken.