Early Indigenous Literatures

Legal reminder of power structure

The first order of business in ICWA is a legal precedent reminder that Congress has “power over Indian affairs." Pointedly, the act opens up with attention to the regulation of "Commerce" thereby setting Indigenous children up already as a resource and nations as producers of US goods. The emphasis on commerce is further indicated by the *** designation outlining its importance. All other stipulations must then be read as a matter of "plenary power" which ultimately relies on an infringement on Native nations' own self-government.

Contents of this annotation: