March/April

Federal institutions actively shape many aspects of modern Indian identity in a variety of ways, such as defining tribal actions as “governmental” or “commercial” in nature or by connecting tribal jurisdiction with the extent to which tribal institutions mirror the practices of non-Indian institutions. The 2008 Federal Bar Association Indian Law Conference will examine these issues through discussions on tribal finance, labor concerns in Indian country, tribal courts, Indian energy policy, and the future of plenary power in the legislative arena...

Even though observers subject federal Indian law to rightful criticisms, many Indian law cases are simple decisions upholding a clear rule of law.

After thirty years, the three Supreme Court decisions issued in Spring 1978 still retain their monumental impact on the practice of federal Indian law.

In February 2007, the D.C. Circuit Court upheld a decision made by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) that reversed 28 years of precedent.