Reparations for Native American Tribes?

Abstract:The article reviews the political arguments for and against reparations for African Americans and Native Americans and concludes that certain arguments against reparations for African Americans do not apply to the issue of reparations for Native Americans. Because Native nations are "domestic dependent nations" under US and international law, they have unique legal standing to request reparations from the US and state governments. And, because a bureaucratic structure already exists within the federal government to negotiate with Native nations and tribes, and the nations and tribes have their own governments, certain logistical problems for paying reparations are reduced. Ethical arguments for paying reparations are described in light of the history of genocidal actions against indigenous peoples, and legal holdings and Congressional acts relevant to the issue of reparations are reviewed, most notably the "American Rescue Plan for Native Tribes". Finally, "community development" is compared to reparations as a way to make progress toward fulfilling the US's ethical obligation to Native Americans.