Forced federalism : contemporary challenges to indigenous nationhood / Jeff Corntassel and Richard C. Witmer ; foreword by Lindsay G. Robertson.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Corntassel, Jeff, 1966-

Contributor:

Witmer, Richard C., 1966-

Series:

American Indian law and policy series ; v. 3.

American Indian law and policy series ; v. 3

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Indians of North America--Politics and government.

Indians of North America.

Indians of North America--Government relations.

Indians of North America--Legal status, laws, etc.

State governments--United States.

State governments.

United States.

Local government--United States.

Local government.

Self-determination, National--United States.

Self-determination, National.

United States--Politics and government.

Politics and government.

United States--Race relations.

Race relations.

United States--Social policy.

Social policy.

Physical Description:

xxi, 251 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm.

Place of Publication:

Norman : University of Oklahoma Press, [2008]

Summary:

A critical evaluation of a new era in American Indian policy -- Over the past twenty years, American Indian policy has shifted from self-determination to "forced federalism," as indigenous nations in the United States have encountered new threats from state and local governments over such issues as taxation, gaming, and homeland security. During the forced federalism era (1988-present), public perceptions of indigenous peoples as "rich Indians" have been just as damaging to Native nations as anti-sovereignty legislation. This book examines how state governments have manipulated "rich Indian" images when setting policies targeting indigenous peoples and discusses how indigenous nations have responded politically to these contemporary threats to their nationhood. Drawing on original survey data collected from Native governments from 1994 to 2000 and on interviews with Chief Chad Smith of the Cherokee Nation as well as other indigenous leaders, Jeff Corntassel and Richard C. Witmer II examine the power dynamics of the indigenous-state compacting system, and show how electoral activism among indigenous peoples has increased their political power while also giving rise to "rich Indian racism" among non-Indians--especially in the wake of the Indian Gaming and Regulatory Act. The authors warn that current widespread Native participation in non-Native politics is undermining both the political and the cultural foundations of indigenous nationhood, especially as the American culture of money gains influence in Native politics. They also offer specific strategies for regenerating indigenous communities in order to meet future challenges to their nationhood.

Contents:

Contemporary challenges to indigenous nationhood

Current social constructions of indigenous peoples

Managing the politics of perception

The forced federalism survey

Negotiating compacts between indigenous nations and states

Conclusions

Appendix A. Indigenous nations participating in the forced federalism survey, 1994-2000

Appendix B. Gaming compact between the Sisseton-Wahpeto Sioux Tribe and the State of South Dakota, 2000

Appendix C. Treaty with the Cherokees, 1785

Appendix D. Top twenty indigenous populations by state, 2000

Appendix E. interview with Chad "Corntassel" Smith

Appendix F. Interview with Brad Carson

Appendix G. Indigenous government survey, 2000.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 229-239) and index.

ISBN:

9780806139067

0806139064

OCLC:

163604752