Historic Native American Law and Related Resources

Welcome to my library of historic laws and resources related to Native Americans, including tribal laws, charters, treaties, claims commission decisions, and more! Links lead to digitized law books and related resources. I tried to keep book sets together, so the list is not strictly chronological. I included some extras that are not law but might be of interest to those researching this area. This library is incomplete, so always check for additional resources elsewhere.

I wrote a blog post introducing this collection.

Laws Relating to Native Americans, and Tribal Laws

Year

Title/Description

Historic Laws Online

1626 Peter Schagen Letter New Netherland Institute
1722 The Particulars of an Indian Treaty at Conestogoe, Between His Excellency Sir William Keith, Bart. Governor of Pennsylvania, and the Deputies of the Five Nations Hathi Trust
1826 Indian Treaties, and Laws and Regulations Relating to Indian Affairs: to Which is Added an Appendix, Containing the Proceedings of the Old Congress, and Other Important State Papers, in Relation to Indian Affairs Google Books
1832 Laws of the Colonial and State Governments Relating to Indians and Indian Affairs, From 1633 to 1831, Inclusive Internet Archive
1837 Treaties Between the United States of America and the Several Indian Tribes, From 1778 to 1837: With a Copious Table of Contents Google Books
1840 The Constitution and Laws of the Choctaw Nation Google Books
1846 The Public Statutes at Large of the United States of America: Treaties Between the United States and the Indian Tribes Google Books
1848 Treaties Between the United States and the Indian Tribes Google Books
1852 The Constitution and Laws of the Cherokee Nation: Passed at Tahlequah, Cherokee Nation, 1839–51 Google Books
1852 Laws of the Cherokee Nation Adopted by the Council at Various Periods Internet Archive
1861 The Public Statutes at Large of the United States of America: Treaties Between the United States and the Indian Tribes Google Books
1868 Laws and Regulations Adopted by the Winnebago Tribe of Indians, In Council Held at the Winnebago Agency, Nebraska, July 21st A.D. 1868 Internet Archive
1873 A Compilation of All the Treaties Between the United States and the Indian Tribes Now in Force as Laws Google Books
1875 Constitution and Laws of the Cherokee Nation Internet Archive
1878 Laws of the Choctaw Nation Passed at the Choctaw Councils of 1876 and 1877 Internet Archive
1881 Compiled Laws of the Cherokee Nation Internet Archive
1887 Constitution and Laws of the Sac and Fox Nation. Indian Territory. Internet Archive
1888 The Legal Status of the Indian Internet Archive
1890 Constitution, Treaties and Laws of the Chickasaw Nation Google Books
1890 Constitution and Laws of the Muskogee Nation Google Books
1891 Laws of the Choctaw Nation Internet Archive
1892 Constitution and Laws of the Cherokee Nation Internet Archive
1893 Constitution and Laws of the Muskogee Nation Google Books
1893 Extra Census Bulletin. Indians. The Five Civilized Tribes of Indian Territory. Google Books
1894 Acts and Resolutions of the National Council of the Muskogee Nation of 1893 Google Books
1894 Report on Indians Taxed and Indians Not Taxed in the United States (Except Alaska) Google Books
1894 Reply of the Cherokee National Council to the Propositions of the Dawes Commission in Regard to Change of Government for the Cherokee Nation Google Books
1895 Treaties and Laws of the Osage Nation, as Passed to November 26, 1890 Google Books
1899 Constitution, and Laws of the Chickasaw Nation Together With the Treaties of 1832, 1833, 1834, 1837, 1852, 1855 and 1866 Google Books
1903 Indian Affairs, Laws and Treaties, Vol. 1 (Statutes, Executive Orders, Proclamations, and Statistics of Tribes), Compiled To Dec. 1, 1902 Internet Archive
1903 Indian Affairs, Laws and Treaties, Vol. 2 (Treaties) Internet Archive
1904 Indian Affairs, Laws and Treaties, Vol. 1 (Laws), Compiled to December 1, 1902 Internet Archive
GovInfo, U.S. Government Printing Office
1904 Indian Affairs, Laws and Treaties, Vol. 2 (Treaties) Google Books
1913 Indian Affairs, Laws and Treaties, Vol. 3 (Laws), Compiled to December 1, 1913 Google Books
Internet Archive
1929 Indian Affairs, Laws and Treaties, Vol. 4 (Laws), Compiled to March 4, 1927 Google Books
GovInfo, U.S. Government Printing Office
1941 Indian Affairs, Laws and Treaties, Vol. 5 (Laws), Compiled from December 22, 1927, to June 29, 1938 Google Books
GovInfo, U.S. Government Printing Office
1970 Kappler’s Indian Affairs, Laws and Treaties, Vol. 6 Google Books
1971 Kappler’s Indian Affairs, Laws and Treaties, Vol. 7 Google Books
1975 Supplement to Kappler’s Indian Affairs: Laws and Treaties. Compiled Federal Regulations Relating to Indians Google Books
GovInfo, U.S. Government Printing Office
Website collection Kappler’s Indian Affairs: Laws and Treaties, 7 volumes. Oklahoma State University
Website collection Tribal Treaties Database Oklahoma State University
1909 Indian Land Laws Google Books
1910 Catalogue, United States Indian School, Carlisle, Pennsylvania Google Books
1912 Executive Orders Relating to Indian Reservations, Vol. 1, From May 14, 1855 to July 1, 1912 Google Books
1922 Executive Orders Relating to Indian Reservations, Vol. 2, From July 1, 1912 to July 1, 1922 Google Books
1913 Annotated Acts of Congress, Five Civilized Tribes and the Osage Nation Internet Archive
1913 Regulations Governing Supervising and Investigating Officers of the Indian Service Google Books
1913 Indian Land Laws, Second Edition Google Books
1913 Laws and Regulations Relating to Indians and Their Lands Internet Archive
1914 Uintah, Ouray, Colville, Spokane, Morango, Mission, and Sherman Indian Schools: Hearings Before the Joint Commission of the Congress of the United States, Sixty-Third Congress, Second Session, to Investigate Indian Affairs, Part 1 Internet Archive
1914 Carlisle Indian School: Hearings Before the Joint Commission of the Congress of the United States, Sixty-Third Congress, Second Session, to Investigate Indian Affairs, Part 2 Internet Archive
1915 Laws Relating to the Five Civilized Tribes in Oklahoma, 1890 to 1914 Google Books
1916 Action brought to determine whether the laws of the state of New York were operative over the prisoners, tribal Indians of the Seneca nation Internet Archive
1916 The Constitution of the Five Nations Google Books
1917 Codification, Annotation, and Revision of Indian Laws Internet Archive
1926 Chippewa Indian Legislation Google Books
1934 To Grant To Indians Living Under Federal Tutelage The Freedom to Organize for Purposes of Local Self-Government and Economic Enterprise Google Books
1934 Readjustment of Indian Affairs Google Books
1935 Constitution and Bylaws of the Northern Cheyenne Tribe of the Tongue River Reservation Google Books
1935 Constitution and Bylaws for the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe of the Lower Brule Reservation: Approved Nov. 27, 1935 Google Books
1936 Constitution and By-Laws of the Tule River Indian Tribe, California: Approved January 15, 1936 Google Books
1936 Constitution and By-Laws of the Washoe Tribe, Nevada and California, Approved January 24, 1936 Google Books
1936 Constitution and By-Laws of the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe, Nevada: Approved January 15, 1936 Google Books
1936 Corporate Charter of the Omaha Tribe of Nebraska Google Books
1936 Constitution and Bylaws of the Ponca Tribe of Native Americans of Nebraska: Approved April 3, 1936 Google Books
1936 Constitution and By-Laws of the Three Affiliated Tribes of the Fort Berthold Reservation, North Dakota: Approved June 29, 1936 Google Books
1936 Corporate Charter of the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe, South Dakota: Ratified July 11, 1936 Google Books
1936 Constitution and By-Laws of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, South Dakota: Approved December 20, 1935 Google Books
1936 Constitution and Bylaws of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead Reservation, Montana: Approved October 28, 1935 Google Books
1936 Constitution and By-Laws of the Oglala Sioux Tribe of the Pine Ridge Reservation: Approved January 15, 1936 Google Books
1936 Constitution and By-Laws For the Tulalip Tribes, Washington: Approved Jan. 24, 1936 Google Books
1936 Constitution and Bylaws of the Puyallup Tribe of the Puyallup Reservation, Washington: Approved May 13, 1936 Google Books
1936 Constitution and Bylaws of the Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians, Wisconsin: Approved June 1, 1936 Google Books
1936 Constitution and Bylaws of the Lac Du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin: Approved August 15, 1936 Google Books
1936 Constitution and Bylaws of the Bad River Band of the Lake Superior Tribe of Chippewa Indians of the State of Wisconsin: Approved June 20, 1936 Google Books
1937 Constitution and By-Laws of the Hopi Tribe, Arizona: Approved December 19, 1936 Internet Archive
1937 Constitution and By-Laws of the Quechan Tribe of the Fort Yuma Reservation, California: Approved December 18, 1936 Google Books
1937 Constitution and By-Laws of the Sac and Fox Tribe of Missouri of the Sac and Fox Reservation in Kansas and Nebraska: Approved March 2, 1937 Google Books
1937 Constitution and By-Laws of the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, Michigan: Approved December 17, 1936 Google Books
1937 Constitution and By-Laws of the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan: Approved May 6, 1937 Google Books
1937 Constitution and By-Laws of the Walker River Paiute Tribe of Nevada: Approved March 26, 1937 Internet Archive
1937 Constitution and By-Laws of the Yerington Paiute Tribe, Nevada: Approved January 4, 1937 Google Books
1937 Constitution and By-Laws of the Quileute Tribe of the Quileute Reservation, Washington: Approved November 11, 1936 Google Books
1938 Corporate Charter of the Quileute Indian Tribe of the Quileute Indian Reservation: Ratified August 21, 1937 Google Books
1938 Corporate Charter of the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of the Isabella Reservation of Michigan, Ratified August 26, 1937 Google Books
1938 Corporate Charter of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe of the Consolidated Chippewa Agency: Ratified November 13, 1937 Google Books
1938 Constitution and By-Laws of the Sitka Community Association, Territory of Alaska: Ratified October 11, 1938 Google Books
1938 Constitution and By-Laws of the Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma: Ratified October 23, 1937 Internet Archive
1938 Corporate Charter of the Pawnee Indian Tribe of Oklahoma: Ratified April 28, 1938 Google Books
1938 Constitution and By-Laws of the Pawnee Indians of Oklahoma: Ratified January 6, 1938 Internet Archive
1938 Corporate Charter of the Seneca-Cayuga Tribe of Oklahoma: Ratified June 26, 1937 Google Books
1938 Corporate Charter of the Wyandotte Tribe of Oklahoma: Ratified October 30, 1937 Google Books
1938 Constitution and By-Laws of the Cheyenne-Arapahoe Tribes of Oklahoma: Ratified September 18, 1937 Internet Archive
1938 Corporate Charter of the Forest County Potawatomi Community Wisconsin, Ratified October 20, 1938 Google Books
1939 Yankton Tribe — Amend Wheeler-Howard Act Google Books
1940 Corporate Charter of the Stebbins Community Association, Alaska: Ratified December 5, 1939 Google Books
1940 Corporate Charter of the King Island Native Community, Alaska: Ratified January 31, 1939 Google Books
1940 Corporate Charter of the Peoria Tribe of Indians, Oklahoma: Chartered June 26, 1936 Google Books
1941 Corporate Charter of the San Carlos Apache Tribe, Arizona: Ratified October 16, 1940 Google Books
1941 Constitution and By-Laws of the Duckwater Shoshone Tribe of the Duckwater Reservation, Nevada: Approved November 28, 1940 Google Books
1941 Corporate Charter of the Fort Gamble Band of Clallam Indians of the Port Gamble Indian Community, Washington: Ratified April 5, 1941 Google Books
1942 Constitution and By-Laws of the St. Croix Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin: Approved November 12, 1942 Internet Archive
1942 Constitution and By-Laws of the Kialegee Tribal Town, Oklahoma: Ratified June 12, 1941 Internet Archive
1942 Handbook of Federal Indian Law: With References and Tables Google Books
1943 Corporate Charter of the Kialegee Tribal Town, Oklahoma, Ratified September 17, 1942 Google Books
1945 Handbook of Federal Indian Law: With References Tables and Index Google Books
1946 Constitution and By-Laws of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians: Ratified April 20, 1945 Google Books
1947 Ten Years of Tribal Government Under I.R.A. [Indian Reorganization Act] Google Books
1947 Constitution, By-Laws and Ordinances of the Colorado River Indian Tribes of the Colorado River Reservation, Arizona and California Google Books
1950 Constitution and By-Laws of the Native Village of Tanana (Alaska), Approved May 15, 1939 Google Books
1950 Constitution and By-Laws of the Petersburg Indian Association, Alaska: Approved March 22, 1948 Google Books
1950 Constitution and By-Laws of the Akiak Native Community: Approved May 11, 1949 Google Books
1950 Constitution and By-Laws of the Shageluk Native Village, Alaska: Approved August 19, 1949 Google Books
1951 Constitution and By-Laws of the United Keetowah Band of Cherokee Indians, Oklahoma, Ratified October 3, 1950 Google Books
1951 Corporate Charter of the United Keetowah Band of Cherokee Indians, Oklahoma: Ratified October 3, 1950 Google Books
1951 Constitution and Bylaws of the Ponca Tribe of Indians, Oklahoma: Ratified September 20, 1950 Google Books
1957 Constitutions and By-Laws of the Agua Caliente Band of Mission Indians, California: Adopted June 28, 1955, Amended February 26, 1957 Google Books
1957 Constitution and By-Laws of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Reservation in Oregon: Approved December 7, 1949 Google Books
1957 Constitution and By-Laws of the Lummi Tribe of the Lummi Reservation, Washington: Approved April 2, 1948 Google Books
1957 Constitution and Bylaws of the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho: Approved June 16, 1947 Google Books
1957 Constitution and Bylaws of the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe of Fort Thompson, South Dakota: Approved April 26, 1949 Google Books
1957 Constitution and Bylaws of the Devils Lake Sioux Tribe, North Dakota: Approved February 14, 1946 Google Books
1958 Federal Indian Law Google Books
1967 Charters, Constitutions and By-Laws of the Indian Tribes of North America, Part 1: The Sioux Tribes of South Dakota Internet Archive
1967 Charters, Constitutions and By-Laws of the Indian Tribes of North America, Part 2: The Indian Tribes of Wisconsin (Great Lakes Agency) Internet Archive
1967 Charters, Constitutions and By-Laws of the Indian Tribes of North America, Part 2a: The Northern Plains Internet Archive
1967 Charters, Constitutions and By-Laws of the Indian Tribes of North America, Part 3: The Southwest (Apache-Mohave) Internet Archive
1967 Charters, Constitutions and By-Laws of the Indian Tribes of North America, Part 4: The Southwest (Navajo-Zuni) Internet Archive
1968 Charters, Constitutions and By-Laws of the Indian Tribes of North America, Part 5: The Indian Tribes of Oklahoma (Alabama-Quassarte to the Osage) Internet Archive
1968 Charters, Constitutions and By-Laws of the Indian Tribes of North America, Part 6: The Indian Tribes of Oklahoma (Ottawa-Wyandotte) Internet Archive
1970 Charters, Constitutions and By-Laws of the Indian Tribes of North America, Part 7: The Indian Tribes of California Internet Archive
1970 Charters, Constitutions and By-Laws of the Indian Tribes of North America, Part 9: The Northwest, and Alaska Internet Archive
1971 Charters, Constitutions and By-Laws of the Indian Tribes of North America, Part 10: The Northwest, and Alaska (cont’d.) Internet Archive
1971 Charters, Constitutions and By-Laws of the Indian Tribes of North America, Part 11: The Basin-Plateau Tribes Internet Archive
1971 Charters, Constitutions and By-Laws of the Indian Tribes of North America, Part 12: The Basin-Plateau Tribes (cont’d.) Internet Archive
1972 Charters, Constitutions and By-Laws of the Indian Tribes of North America, Part 13: Midwestern Tribes Internet Archive
1972 Charters, Constitutions and By-Laws of the Indian Tribes of North America, Part 14: Great Lakes Agency: Minnesota-Michigan Internet Archive
1972 Federal Protection of Indian Resources Google Books
1973 Menominee Restoration Act Google Books
1974 Treaties and Agreements of the Indian Tribes of the Pacific Northwest Google Books
1974 Treaties and Agreements of the Indian Tribes of the Southwest, Including Western Oklahoma Google Books
1974 Occupation of Wounded Knee. Hearings Before the Subcommittee on Indian Affairs of the Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs, United States Senate, Ninety-Fourth Congress, First Session on the Causes and Aftermath of the Wounded Knee Takeover Google Books
1975 Indian Law Enforcement Improvement Act of 1975: Hearings Before the Subcommittee on Indian Affairs of the Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs, United States Senate, Ninety-Fourth Congress, First Session on S. 2010, A Bill Providing for the Improvement of Law Enforcement and the Determination of Civil and Criminal Jurisdiction and Law in Indian Country, and for Other Purposes, Part 1 Google Books
1980 Indian Education Act, Title IV, Public Law 92-318 Google Books
1981 Jurisdiction on Indian Reservations: Hearings Before the Select Committee — Part 2 Google Books
1985 Indian Reserved Water Rights Google Books
1988 Enforcement of the Indian Civil Rights Act, Hearing Held in Phoenix, Arizona Google Books
1989 Status of Alaska Natives: Hearing Before the Select Committee Google Books
1990 Current Federal Indian Law and Its Precedents Internet Archive
1990 Recognition of Mowa Band of Choctaw Indians; Arrostook Band of Mimacs Settlement Act; Ponca Restoration Act; and Jena Band of Choctaw Recognition Act Google Books
1991 American Indian Water Rights and the Limits of Law [limited view, renewable every hour] Internet Archive
1993 Catawba Indian Tribe of South Carolina Land Claims Settlement Act of 1993 Google Books
1993 American Indian Law Deskbook Internet Archive
1995 Law Enforcement Issues in the Bureau of Indian Affairs: Oversight Hearing Before the Select Committee Google Books
1996 Tribal Sovereign Immunity: Hearing Before the Committee on Indian Affairs, United States Senate
Internet Archive
1996 Amendments to the Indian Child Welfare Act: Hearing Before the Committee on Indian Affairs, United States Senate Internet Archive
2000 H.R. 3112, to Amend the Colorado Ute Indian Water Rights Settlement Act to Provide for a Final Settlement of the Claims of the Colorado Ute Indian Tribes, and for Other Purposes: Hearing Before the Subcommittee on Water and Power Google Books
2010 Hoh Indian Tribe Safe Homelands Act [slip law] Internet Archive
2010 The Pechanga Band of Luiseño Mission Indians Water Rights Settlement Act, and S. 3290, the Blackfeet Water Rights Settlement Act of 2010: Hearing Before the Committee on Indian Affairs, United States Senate Google Books
2012 An Act to allow the Pascua Yaqui Tribe to determine the requirements for membership in that tribe [slip law] Internet Archive
Website Indian Law [Library Research Guide] Arizona State University
Website National Indian Law Library National Indian Law Library, Native American Rights Fund
Vol. 10 Indian Claims Commission Decisions Google Books
Vol. 11, Part 1 Indian Claims Commission Decisions Google Books
Vol. 11, Part 2 Indian Claims Commission Decisions Google Books
Vol. 12, Part 1 Indian Claims Commission Decisions Google Books
Vol. 12, Part 2 Indian Claims Commission Decisions Google Books
Vol. 13 Indian Claims Commission Decisions Google Books
Vol. 15 Indian Claims Commission Decisions Google Books
Vol. 16 Indian Claims Commission Decisions Google Books
Vol. 17 Indian Claims Commission Decisions Google Books
Vol. 18 Indian Claims Commission Decisions Google Books
Vol. 19 Indian Claims Commission Decisions Google Books
Vol. 20 Indian Claims Commission Decisions Google Books
Vol. 21 Indian Claims Commission Decisions Google Books
Vols. 1-43, 1946-1978 Indian Claims Commission Decisions, 43 volumes Oklahoma State University
Index Index to the Indian Claims Commission Decisions [pdf indexes: 1973–1976 & 1976 supplement; 1976–1978 & 2009 supplement] National Indian Law Library, Native American Rights Fund
1901 Digest of Decisions Relating to Indian Affairs: In Two Volumes, Volume 1, Judicial Google Books
1916 Claims Against the Choctaw and Chickasaw Nations of Indians: Hearings Before the Committee on Indian Affairs, House of Representatives Google Books
1926 Crow Indian Claims: Hearing Before a Subcommittee of the Committee on Indian Affairs, House of Representatives Google Books
1935 Indian Claims: Hearings Before the Committee on Expenditures in the Executive Departments House of Representatives, First Session on Indian Claims Against the Government Google Books
1946 Before the Indian Claims Commission, No. 31 Google Books
1968 Indian Claims Commission, 1968 Annual Report Google Books
1970 Indian Claims Litigation: Hearing Before the Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs United States Senate: Second Session on the Status of Indian Claims Litigation Google Books
1974 Indian Claims Commission Appropriations for Fiscal Year 1975. Hearing Before the Subcommittee on Indian Affairs …, S. 3007, A Bill to Authorize Appropriations for the Indian Claims Commission for Fiscal Year 1975 Google Books
1978 Indian Claims Commission, August 13, 1946–September 30, 1978: Final Report, Volumes 2–6 Google Books
Blog Article Land Claims of Indigenous Nations in New York In Custodia Legis, Law Librarians of Congress
Website Native American Research [Guide] Connecticut State Library