Description
Tribes, Treaties, and Constitutional Tribulations written by Vine Deloria (1933-2005) and David Wilkins provide a layperson's analysis of how the United States constitution has been interpreted in relation to Native Americans. The book begins with a discussion of European impact on the New World and European perspective on Aboriginal Peoples. The next chapter looks at the USA Articles of Confederation and the division of powers between the states and the federal government. The following chapters explore the American constitution and its relationship to American Indian Nations and the three levels of the federal government's dealing with Indian Nations. The remaining chapters critique the constitutional amendments and how these relate to Native Americans. The final chapter summarizes the status of Indian Nations during the twentieth century. The authors maintain that the USA constitution fails to protect the legal rights of Native Americans and propose that treaties should be applied as the foundational relationship between the United States government and Indian Nations. Topics explored include treaties, self-government, religious freedoms, and sovereignty. Vine Deloria was an American Indian scholar from the Standing Rock Sioux Nation and David Wilkins is a professor of American Indian Studies at the University of Minnesota.