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The Original Understanding Of The Political Status Of Indian Tribes, Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Matthew L.M. Fletcher

This Article will demonstrate that virtually all elements of Indian affairs can be traced to the decision of the United States to recognize Indian tribes as political entities and to make Indian law and policy based on the political status of Indian tribes. Indian law is often assumed to be race law. As a result, observers tend to try to force Indian law into the constitutional race law paradigm. Justice Blackmun’s footnote 24 in Morton v. Mancari – describing federal legislation and rules relating to Indian tribes as a political classification – hit upon the proper understanding of Indian law. …