Research & Publications

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The Research and Publications Division of the Native Nations Law & Policy Center:

• Secures grants and carries out research;
• Publishes Native and other scholars/professionals;
• Sponsors conferences and roundtables drawing together scholars, tribal leaders, and federal/state policy-makers;
• Provides support to tribal grant proposals and evaluation of tribal institutions;
• Develops curricula for tribal colleges (including curricula tailored to specific tribal histories, laws);
• Develops curricula for tribal professional training; and
• Serves as a "think-tank" on policy issues relevant to Indian country, prepared to supply Op Ed and other commentaries in mainstream and tribal media.

Illustrative Projects Include:

New Edition of Cohen’s Handbook of Federal Indian Law

Professor Carole Goldberg is one of seven law faculty from across the country serving as editors and authors for a new edition of Felix S. Cohen’s Handbook of Federal Indian Law. The long-awaited volume will be published by Matthew Bender/Lexis in 2005. Professor Goldberg served in the same capacity for the 1982 edition of this highly influential treatise, which has been cited in hundreds of federal, tribal, and state court decisions in the field. Professor Pat Sekaquaptewa has also contributed to the upcoming 2005 edition. UCLA School of Law, through the support of the Dean’s Office, has hosted three separate meetings of the Handbook editors to facilitate production of the new volume.

Report for the Advisory Council on California Indian Policy

In 1996, Professors Duane Champagne and Carole Goldberg produced a widely cited report for the Advisory Council on California Indian Policy, entitled "A Second Century of Dishonor: Federal Inequities and California Tribes." This report provides facts, figures, and analysis documenting the ways in which California's Native nations have been disadvantaged with respect to federal support and funding, as compared with Native nations in other parts of the United States. Education, health care, welfare, law enforcement, tribal court development, and other aspects of tribal government support are addressed.

June 25, 2008 - U.S. Supreme Court decision impacts Tribal Court Jurisdiction

Professor Carole Goldberg comments on the decision in Plains Commerce Bank v. Long Family Cattle & Land Company  in the July 2008 Issue of the Ho-Chunk Nation Court Bulletin.

Breaking News!  Nation-wide Study of Law Enforcement under Public Law 280 Published

Final Report: Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Under Public Law 280

Professors Carole Goldberg and Duane Champagne are co-principal investigators for a research grant from the U.S. Department of Justice to conduct the first nationwide study of law enforcement under Public Law 280. This two-year, $300,000 grant collected crime and victimization data, and carried out more than 300 intensive interviews with law enforcement officers, tribal officials, criminal justice personnel, and tribal members at 16 different reservation sites in Public Law 280 and non-Public Law 280 states. This report analyzes positive and negative aspects of state criminal jurisdiction in Indian country, and recommends strategies for improving law enforcement for reservations currently subject to Public Law 280. 

Op-eds on Tribal Sovereignty Issues in California

Professor Carole Goldberg has published commentaries in both the Los Angeles Times and the San Diego Union-Tribune addressing conflicts between the state of California and Native nations in the state over such matters as gaming, workers compensation, and tribal sovereign immunity.

Feature on Illegal Dumping on Indian Lands for the UCLA Institute of the Environment's 2004 Environmental Report Card

Each year UCLA's Institute of the Environment publishes an Environmental Report Card which grades southern California's effectiveness in addressing particular aspects of environmental pollution. For the 2004 Report Card, Professor Carole Goldberg has produced an analysis of illegal dumping of solid waste on Indian lands, demonstrating that gaps and uncertainties in the law contribute significantly to this serious problem. She suggests that a combination of greater cooperation between tribal and state/local governments, increased federal support for tribal enforcement agencies, and legislative change, will be necessary ameliorate the problem. Click HERE to see the Environmental Report Card.

February 2003 and April 2004 Conferences on American Indian Issues and the California Press

In February, 2003 the Native Nations Center sponsored a Conference on American Indian Issues in the California Press. At this conference, representatives of mainstream media, tribal governments, state and federal governments, tribal media, and scholars came together to examine the coverage and portrayals of Native issues in various media outlets. Among the topics addressed were tribal gaming, environmental issues, and the mascot controversy. In addition to exploring the causes and consequences of media practices, this Conference afforded an opportunity for dialog among tribal members and press representatives regarding issues such as access to the press, tribal sovereignty concerns, and negative stereotyping. Videotapes of the conference have been made available.

Second Annual Conference on American Indian Issues in the California Press, April 20-21, 2004.

Project Peacemaker

The Native Nations Center works closely with Turtle Mountain Community College and the Tribal Law & Policy Institute to develop textbooks, on-line courses, and other curricula for Project Peacemaker, a collaborative effort to introduce Tribal Legal Studies into tribally-controlled community colleges. Project Peacemaker curricula are designed to strengthen tribal justice systems by providing training in tribal law for tribal justice system personnel, including judges, prosecutors, advocates, clerks, law enforcement officers, and probation officers. They also afford a point of entry for tribal members interested in pursuing law school studies. Finally, they enhance the educational programs available at tribal colleges and elsewhere.

Public Law 280 Trainings

Professor Goldberg provides comprehensive, one-day training sessions to tribal and county law enforcement and criminal justice personnel, as well as to tribal staff, regarding Public Law 280. These presentations have been made to the Hoopa Valley Tribe, the Sycuan Tribe, and the Pit River Tribal-Community Task Force, among other tribal groups. Topics covered included concurrent (shared) tribal and county law enforcement authority, enforcement of court orders, jurisdiction over child welfare matters, and subject areas where Public Law 280 does not give authority to state or county governments. Click HERE to see the Powerpoint slides for the Pit River presentation.