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 Did you know that U.S.-Indian treaties are not only based in international law but linked to a founding document of the United States - the U.S. Constitution? The U.S. Constitution provides that treaties entered into by the national government shall be the "supreme law of the land." Continue on to this section to see an image of the U.S. Constitution, a document cared for and exhibited by the National Archives in Washington, D.C.
FEDERAL INDIAN POLICY TIMELINE
There are two competing theories of tribal sovereignty: 1) that Indian tribes have inherent powers of sovereignty that predate Columbus; and 2) that Indian tribes have only those attributes of sovereignty that Congress gives them. Different branches of the U.S. Government have interpreted tribal sovereignty variously over time and, consequently, implemented conflicting or inconsistent policies. Browse this section, or download this information in Adobe Acrobat format for a brief outline of Federal Indian Policy.
VIEW POINTS ON INDIAN TREATIES
Why are U.S.-Indian treaties important? What were they meant to accomplish in their day? What do they have to do with us today? The authors listed below present answers to these questions, and more, from various points of view. Click on the titles to read the essays. If you are interested in submitting an essay for online publication, please contact slile@wshs.wa.gov.
Please proceed to the U.S. Constitution » |
reaty making in the Northwest between the United States and Indian tribes did not occur in isolation from events happening across the country. Why did the U.S. push for these treaties? Why did some tribes sign them? Why did other tribes avoid them? The Treaty Trail in the Northwest changed how both Native American peoples and non-native peoples have experienced life in the United States since 1854. Consequently, some of our family histories involve triumphant journeys westward to start a new life; other family histories tell of displacement, survival, and innovation amid discrimination. By opening up the region to the commercial development of natural resources, even the landscape around us bears the literal marks of the Treaty Trail.