What is the Indian Civil Rights Act?

The Indian Civil Rights Act (ICRA) is a law passed by the United States Congress in 1968 to protect the civil rights of Native Americans in California and throughout the country. The ICRA was intended to give Native Americans the same civil rights protections enjoyed by other citizens, including the right to due process and equal protection under the law. The ICRA established the Office of Indian Affairs in the Department of the Interior and set out specific requirements for federal and tribal governments to respect Native American rights. For instance, the ICRA requires that any state laws or actions that deny Native Americans “equal protection of the law” are invalid. It also gives Native Americans the right to sue state or federal governments for violations of rights guaranteed by the ICRA. The ICRA prohibits certain forms of discrimination based on race, color, or national origin, including in educational activities and government-funded programs. It also prohibits tribal governments from penalizing Native Americans on the basis of their religious beliefs or practices. Additionally, it establishes the right of Native Americans to vote in state and federal elections. The Indian Civil Rights Act is a significant piece of legislation that has helped to protect the civil liberties of Native Americans in California and throughout the country. It has served as the foundation for numerous legal cases and still provides a legal framework for protecting the rights of Indigenous people.

Related FAQs

What is the Native American Languages Act?
How does Native American law affect taxation?
What is the Indian Self-Government Act?
What is the government-to-government relationship?
Does tribal law override state law?
What is the Indian Child Protection and Family Violence Prevention Act?
What are the legal obligations of states to tribes and Native American resources?
What is the Indian Tribal Self-Governance Act?
What is the Indian Health Care Improvement Act?
What is the Tribal Law and Order Act?

What is the Indian Civil Rights Act?

Related FAQs

Related Blog Posts