Landmark Indian Law Cases focuses on a core set of Indian law cases from the U.S. Supreme Court that provide the legal framework for fundamental Indian law topics. Spanning nearly two centuries, U.S. Supreme Court jurisprudence is expansive, and it is helpful for both those working in the field and those interested in learning about it to have a book that narrows down the landmark cases and explains their importance.
The first edition of this publication (1988), titled Top Fifty Indian Law Cases, was created as a resource to collate the Supreme Court’s significant federal Indian law decisions. It was revised in 1990, and then again in May 2000 reflecting another decade of important decisions. The 2000 edition included new pronouncements on tribal hunting and fishing rights, Alaska Native sovereignty, tribal sovereign immunity from suit, and tribal court jurisdiction.
Likewise, this latest edition includes several changes and improvements. First, this edition adds five cases that were either decided or gained elevated significance in the twenty years since the last edition. Five cases whose prominence have waned are no longer included in this edition. Finally, for each case a summary has been added to explain why it is a landmark Indian law case and the key holding(s) of the decision. Westlaw Headnotes are included with the opinion in each case, while the Subject Index of Cases allows readers to immediately identify the landmark case in a specific area of federal Indian law. Additionally, notes within the book indicate the cases for which pleadings are available from the National Indian Law Library.
Editor: Joel West Williams (Cherokee), former NARF Staff Attorney
Published: Getzville; William S. Hein & Co., Inc.; 2022
