Year of Award
2021
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Type
Master of Interdisciplinary Studies (MIS)
Degree Name
Interdisciplinary Studies
Department or School/College
Interdisciplinary Studies Program
Committee Chair
Robert Baker, English Literature
Commitee Members
Robert Baker, English Literature Richmond Clow, Native American Studies Douglas MacDonald, Anthropology
Keywords
Indian, non-Indian, civilized, uncivilized, colonialization, decolonization, Pyrrhonian skepticism, satire, humor, buckskin
Publisher
University of Montana
Subject Categories
Epistemology | Indigenous, Indian, and Aboriginal Law | Legal History | Other American Studies
Abstract
This thesis is a skeptical treatment of the logical distinctions presumed to exist between “Indian” and “non-Indian” people. Despite representing 99 percent of the U.S. population, “non-Indians” represent a legal identity which has no explicit definition. The basis for the U.S. Supreme Court’s decisions regarding non-Indians and Indians rests not on any objective, empirical or logical criterion or proof, but rather on the “assumption of a ‘guardian-ward’ status. This thesis investigates this assumption, and recommends that we suspend judgment on whether the difference between “Indians” and “non-Indians” can be determined either by logical argument or by legal assumption.
Recommended Citation
Rosenau, Joshua M., "Non-Indian Reservations," University of Montana, 2021.
Included in
Epistemology Commons, Indigenous, Indian, and Aboriginal Law Commons, Legal History Commons, Other American Studies Commons
© Copyright 2021 Joshua Matthew Rosenau