Forced Federalism

Over the past twenty years, American Indian policy has shifted from self-determination to ôforced federalism,ö 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 ôrich Indiansö have been just as damaging to Native nations as anti-sovereignty legislation.

Jeff Corntassel is Associate Professor and Graduate Advisor for the Indigenous Governance Programs at the University of Victoria, British Columbia. Richard C. Witmer II is Associate Professor of Political Science, Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska. Lindsay G. Robertson is Judge Haskell A. Holloman Professor of Law and Faculty Director of the American Indian Law and Policy Center at the University of Oklahoma.