In 1540, the Spanish encountered the Pueblosof New Mexico. This seminar surveys the law that the nations of Spain, Mexico and the United States developed in succession in respect to the rights of Indigenous Pueblo peoples of New Mexico. The law that developed is unique to the Pueblos of New Mexico. The two credit seminar will begin with a consideration of the Pueblo legal tradition, and modern Pueblo law and governance structures. The seminar will then focus on the Spanish legal roots and the unique aspects of federal Indian law that currently affect the nineteen Pueblosof New Mexico. The course materials will be comprised of Spanish law, New Mexico law, federal case and statutory law, and materials from other disciplines involving the Pueblos. Students will participate in the first Pueblo Convocation scheduled for November as part of the class. Students will be required to develop and work on a writing project, which they will develop into a poster presentation for display at the Convocation. The writing project will entail the production of a series of short papers or one final paper developed throughout the course.
August 18, 2011