Tribal Nations in the 21st Century

89 Pages Posted: 11 Feb 2013 Last revised: 4 Mar 2013

Date Written: March 3, 2013

Abstract

For over 500 years the American Indian has been engaged in physical, psychological and legal battle with the colonizers of the American Continent. They have endured untold depredations, near extinction and attempts at termination. Yet they remain and continue their fight. The United States; as the ultimate colonizer, has; for 200 years, been searching for an equitable solution to end this enduring struggle with varying degrees of success and failure. Today there are 566 federally recognized tribes representing less than 1% of the U.S. population. Yet despite some progress, Indians remain at the bottom of the ladder by virtually every socioeconomic indicator.

Since the 1970s tribal leaders have reveled in the improvements and particularly in the seeming willingness of the government to engage in consultation. Despite sporadic successes; however, this article contends that tribal and federal officials are just kicking the can down the road. Tribal success is being gained more by tribal governments than by tribal citizens. The article begins with a brief; too well known, history then discusses several of the characteristics that have evolved over 200 years that defines the present relationship and why they are impediments to future development. Finally, I provide some examples of what success really is and make recommendations that can lead to a successful solution for all.

Keywords: indian, tribe, tribal, native american, sovereignty, bureaucracy, federally recognized

Suggested Citation

Parker, Phil, Tribal Nations in the 21st Century (March 3, 2013). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2214618 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2214618

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