Open AccessWho decides the law of the land?
Author(s) -
Charles W. Schmidt
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
environmental health perspectives
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.257
H-Index - 282
eISSN - 1552-9924
pISSN - 0091-6765
DOI - 10.1289/ehp.98106a70
Subject(s) - cornerstone , sovereignty , neglect , environmental ethics , political science , law , native american , environmental law , geography , sociology , ethnology , medicine , archaeology , philosophy , nursing , politics
A cornerstone of American-Indian cultures is a deep sense of interconnectedness with the natural environment. To preserve this sense of interconnectedness on tribal lands, many American Indians believe that sovereignty over environmental affairs on tribal lands is essential. But a number of shortcomings have historically and continually weakened tribal authority, and years of federal neglect have left most tribes unprepared to deal with their environmental problems.