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Native American Law

This is an introductory guide for anyone interested in researching current Native American Law or the history of the relationship between Native American tribes and the US government.

Native American Representatives

As of September 2022, there are five Native Americans in Congress.

  • Tom Cole, Chickasaw. (R) Oklahoma 4th Congressional District
  • Sharice Davids, Ho-Chunk. (D) Kansas 3rd Congressional District
  • Yvette Harrell, Cherokee. (R) New Mexico 2nd Congressional District
  • Markwayne Mullin, Cherokee (R). Oklahoma 2nd Congressional District
  • Mary Peltola, Yup'ik (D) Alaska 

There are currently no Native Americans serving in the U.S. Senate.

Deb Haaland

On March 15, 2021, Deb Haaland (Laguna Pueblo) became the first Indigenous woman to serve as a U.S. cabinet member. Sec. Haaland previously served as the Representative for New Mexico's 1st Congressional District. She and Rep. Sharice Davids of Kansas were the first Indigenous women elected to Congress.

Sharice Davids

Representative Sharice Davids (Ho-Chunk) was elected to represent Kansas's 3rd Congressional District in 2018. She and Deb Haaland are the first Native American women elected to Congress. Rep. Davids is also the first openly gay Indigenous woman to serve in Congress.

Chief Lynn Malerba

Lynn Malerba, Lifetime Chief of the Mohegan Tribe, was sworn in as United States Treasurer on September 12, 2022. Chief Malerba will also lead the newly created Office of Tribal and Native Affairs. She is the first Native woman to serve as U.S. Treasurer.