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 |
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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 |
