Zuni and the Courts: A Struggle for Sovereign Land Rights(Development of Western Resources)

Three decades ago-years after most tribes had filed land claims-the Zuni initiated legal battles related to aboriginal claims, rights, and use that few experts thought they could win. Yet by 1991 they had achieved three major victories. In the first case, the Zuni sued the United States seeking payment for aboriginal territorial lands taken without adequate compensation. In the second, also against the United States, the tribe sought compensation for environmental damages to Zuni trust lands caused by the U.S. Government and by private industry where the federal government should have provided protection. And in the third, the U.S. government sued a private rancher on the Zuni's behalf to establish an easement protecting an ancient religious trail. Providing a new overview of these cases and Zuni history, Richard Hart has gathered together essays written by many of those who testified for the Zuni-historians, archaeologists, anthropologists, and scientist-as well as commentary from the tribe's lawyers. The authors simplify the complex nature of the testimony, making it accessible to a wide audience. They cover such diverse but significant issues as Spanish law and land grants, tribal aboriginal title, the Navajo Wars, U.S. territorial policy, deforestation, erosion, geomorphology, dendrochronology, environmental history, anthropology, archaeology, education, folklore, oral history, and religion. Tying together current events with cultural and legal history, Zuni and the Courts provides not only expert observations on how and why the Zuni succeeded but offers insight into how similar cases can be fought and won.

Review :
"This book contains a wealth of information on the Zuni and provides a wonderful example of how an interdisciplinary team of academics can put their knowledge to use on real world problems confronting real people. This is a primer of how to do Indian rights litigation the 'right way, ' with the careful preparation of testimony and evidence, choosing the right expert witnesses, and putting the information to effective use at trial."--Robert A. Williams, Jr., author of The American Indian in Western Legal Thought"A significant contribution to the fields of Indian history, jurisprudence, and anthropology. It may well become the prime example of how to proceed in court actions involving Native Americans, aboriginal use, and ownership."--Robert W. Delaney, author of Ute Mountain Utes and Southern Ute People "Will serve as a model for other tribes to follow in their legal actions."--Journal of the West"This book serves as a model for those seeking court action in land claims litigation. Not only is it a legal blueprint for a trial preparation, it also makes important contributions to the field of Indian history and to the social sciences."--Western Historical Quarterly "The book provides a basic survey of Zuni history, of the tribe's relations with successive Spanish, Mexican, and American governments, and of its legal struggle to affirm its land rights. Specialists will appreciate the book's broad approach."--American Indian Quarterly