Indian and Tribal Law Research

This guide is a selected list of resources for starting research in Federal Indian Law and Tribal law. It includes a selection of legal, governmental and public policy resources in various formats on American Indian law. Some of the databases mentioned, such as Lexis and Westlaw, are limited to UO law student use only. However, most of the resources listed are available to all members of the UO community.

Background

American Indian law covers the body of law concerning tribes and their interactions with federal and state authorities, as well as among themselves. Historically, American Indian law has been chiefly influenced and shaped by federal Indian policy. Tribes are generally considered self-governing, independent entities. However, this independence is subject to the power of Congress to regulate the status of tribes.

A distinction worth noting is the fact that "tribal law" deals specifically with the internal law that governs the affairs of each tribe and its members. Sources of tribal law include oral tradition, tribal constitutions and codes, as well as tribal case law.

Search terms

The following search terms are useful when using the library catalog, databases and other online sources:

• american Indian law
• federal Indian law
• Indian law
• native American law
• tribal law

This guide is organized by topics listed in the menu on the left side of this page.  

If you need assistance retrieving a book, please contact the Circulation desk in the law school library, (541) 346-3088 or lawcirc@uoregon.edu. If you need assistance accessing an article, finding any other resource, or if you would like to add a resource to this guide, please contact Megan Austin or our Law Reference service.

American Indian Law: A Beginner's Guide, Library of Congress

Indian Law Research Guide, University of New Mexico Law School

Indian Law Research Guide, Arizona State University Law School Library

Native American Law Guide: Federal Indian Law & Tribal Law Materials, UCLA Law Library

Native American Law Research, University of Oklahoma Law Library

American Indian Law Research Guide, Harvard Law School Library

Indian Law Research Guide, National Indian Law Library (NARF)

There are nine federally recognized tribes in Oregon. The following resources provide background information on those tribes. 

Burns Paiute Tribe website. 

Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umqua and Suislaw Indians website.

Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde website.

Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs website.

Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians website. 

Confederated Tribes of Umatilla Indian Reservation website.

Coquille Indian Tribe website. 

Crow Creek Band of Umqua Tribe of Indians website.

The Klamath Tribes website. 

Background information on tribes in Oregon - Oregon Secretary of State website.

Overview of the Nine Tribes - State of Oregon website.