The New Indian Politics

Stephen Cornell, The Return of the Native: American Indian Political Resurgence (New York: Oxford University Press, 1988), Chapter 1, pp. 3-8.

SUMMARY OF CORNELL, CHAPTER 1
Historical Indian Politics

Politics about Indians
Dr. L: Comparable to Madcow disease: many competing interests (i.e., nations), but the cow’s don’t have a voice. What to do with the Indians?

– The only part Indians played was the environment the decision-makers had to deal with

– attempt to preserve sovereign powers & avoid domination by non-IndiansDifferent situation today

Cornell: New Indian Politics

– Have demanded and appropriated a voice in the decision-making process through Indian activism -> pan-Indian movements

– Indian-initiated litigation -> involved a degree of organization
To sue, you must be recognized by the government. Tribal government was the entity that could sue for treaty rights

– Development of American Indian news media -> unification of Indians on particular issues

– Proliferation of Indian interests organization -> located in urban communities and tribal government organizations working together

– Growing participation in conventional politics (i.e., major factor in SD 2002 and 2004 elections)

Problems in Indian-White Relations

– Whites defined Indian problems

– Historic Problem

Economic problem – how to secure access to Indian resources (i.e., land)
Cultural transformation – assimilation
Political – maintain control of Indians to solve first two problems

– Modern Problem

Solve problems of health, poverty, education, new environment for uban Indians, econ. development
Can’t ignore them -> US took responsibility to uphold treaties (Art. 6, US Const.) and Indians are American citizens
Whites still desire to gain control of Indian resources (i.e., getting shares from Indian casinos; land, water, and mineral rights

– Indians defined as Euro-American Problem

– Historic

How do tribes maintain distinct cultural order, political economy in the face of non-Indian power
How do you ensure tribal survival while achieving objectives of jobs, stability, & role in larger society

– Modern

How to gain political power, bring enough pressure to bear on the larger society