Federal Indian law Internet tools: Indian Territory Cases at the Oklahoma State Courts Network and Kappler's Indian Affairs: Laws and Treaties at the Oklahoma State University

Abstract

In a thorough analysis of researching the regulation of the banking industry in the United States, Zoller (2000). Demonstrated a number of paths among federal documents of various agencies within the Department of the Treasury, including the legislation that created these entities, and to relevant online resources. This latter opportunity included electronic access to several traditional reporting vehicles: for example, the Congressional Record, Federal Register, Code of Federal Regulations, United States Code, Statutes at Large, and decisions from the U.S. Supreme Court. This leveraged ability to search among digitized versions of these materials has expedited research in the banking industry and has enhanced the chances to bring together for this area of study frequently scattered information.¹ Further, with regard to the availability of such assets, the enhanced openness of this model is particularly important to Cornwell's (1996, p. 304). Concern that “no-fee access to government information would need to remain the cornerstone of any depository program.”

This article reports a similar focused endeavor that involves the digital resources pertaining to treaties between the federal government and the American Indian tribes. It is a demonstration of the intersection of technology and of legal materials and data that have facilitated recent investigations of jurisprudence.