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Civil rights in Indian country

Northwest Justice Project

Various civil rights laws protect Native Americans and Alaska Natives. Other laws apply to anyone who is present on tribal land or involved with a tribal nation in any way. This guide tells you about many of the civil rights laws that apply in Indian country. 

Contents

  1. Fast facts
  2. Tribal sovereign immunity
  3. Jurisdiction in Indian country
  4. Due process in Indian Country
  5. Indian Civil Rights Act (ICRA)
  6. Your tribe and the ICRA
  7. ICRA rights violations
  8. Enrollment and disenrollment rights
  9. Religious rights
  10. Arts, crafts, and regalia protections
View All Contents (PDF)

1. Fast facts

This guide will tell you about some of the civil rights laws that apply if any of these are true:

  • You’re a Native American, Alaska Native, Hawaiian Native, or enrolled member of a federally recognized tribal nation
  • You interact in Indian country, on a reservation, in an Indian community, or on tribal land including trust land, fee land and allotment land
  • You live on or are on present on tribal land regardless of your tribal enrollment status
  • You interact with a tribal nation in any way that could give you an ICRA or other civil rights claim
2. Tribal sovereign immunity