NAMS Exam 2 Study Guide– In-Depth Notes for Native American
Studies – 2025 UPDATED
Plenary power
Full or complete authority assigned to a single government entity and exercised over a specific policy area
Reservations are land being held in trust for Natives, not actually their land bc US owns it
Right of Occupancy
This principle asserts that the original inhabitants of a land—such as Native Americans—have the right to
occupy and use the land they have historically inhabited.
Right of Discovery
emerged during European colonization and asserts that European powers had the authority to claim lands
occupied by indigenous peoples simply by "discovering" them. This concept often disregarded the existing
rights and occupancy of indigenous populations.
tribal sovereignty
Indian reservations in the United States are treated almost as independent countries. They are allowed to govern
themselves and draft their own constitutions. This is known as Tribal Sovereignty. This is why gambling is
allowed on reservations in states, like Florida, where gambling is illegal elsewhere
domestic dependent nations
A type of sovereignty that places an American Indian tribe in the United States outside the authority of state
governments but reliant on the federal government for the interpretation and application of treaty provisions.
Phases of US Indian Law in order
Civilization/Alliance (1770-1830) Removal (1830-40) Containment (1860-1890)
Removal
Us is stronger now doesn't need indian allies tried surrounding indian lands w/ settlements so they would give it
up Giving up on idea that indians will assimilate
Containment
US wants all land, no land for Indians Put Indians on reservations (plenary)
Yei/Yeibachi (Holy People)
powerful spirits summoned by chants and sandpainting
Coyote
spirits used as tricksters or spirits who learn lesson Powerful "upend shit"
hozho (beauty, balance, state of order)
ceremonies performed to maintain/restore it deep connection b/w people and land
, hataali (singer)
medicine men study for years 24 chantaway complexes 11 still performed
4 sacred mountains
South: Blue Bead Mt. East: White Shell Mt West: Abalone Mt. North: Obsidian Mt
Ceremonies
Primary function to restore hozho heal sick by restoring hozho dance & song performed, sand paintings made
for ceremony then destroyed painting always contains some defect because cocky/bad luck to make something
perfect hataali sing to heal and call on Yei
Cherokee Creation
animals lived on solid rock water beetle got mud buzzard dried mud/carved mountains and valleys with wings
Selu
First woman. Corn Mother Used to rub belly and pits to get corn. Sons thought she was witch so killed her.
Performed ritual with her body to get corn to go but only did half thats why corn grows in seasons
Kana'ti
First Man. Hunter Kept all wild game in cave with entrance closed. Son and wild boy let animals out now
cherokee hunt
Jisdu
Trickster rabbit. Also spelled Jistu. The trickster figure is many SE tribes. Generally light-hearted character who
does not engage in serious wrongdoing and features in many children's stories; however, like most tricksters, he
is prone to humorously inappropriate behavior, particularly gluttony, carelessness, and an overinflated ego.
Some SE tribes believe it was Jistu who stole fire and brought it to the people.
Jeggsin
Andrew Jackson trickster
Doyunisi
• She reached The fire and took Out a small ember Of fire.
• Placed it in the dust dobber pot on her back and escaped the thunder people by going underwater
• The embers baked the pot and made it waterproof
• She brought fire to the cherokee people
• Taught them how to make pottery and fire it
Terrapin v. Wolf
Don't brag on yourself no one wants to hear it Wolf is loner now doesn't hang w/ others terrapin tricked wolf
into thinking he lost the race bc all terrapins cousins were at the hilltops
Rabbits Ears and Legs
Studies – 2025 UPDATED
Plenary power
Full or complete authority assigned to a single government entity and exercised over a specific policy area
Reservations are land being held in trust for Natives, not actually their land bc US owns it
Right of Occupancy
This principle asserts that the original inhabitants of a land—such as Native Americans—have the right to
occupy and use the land they have historically inhabited.
Right of Discovery
emerged during European colonization and asserts that European powers had the authority to claim lands
occupied by indigenous peoples simply by "discovering" them. This concept often disregarded the existing
rights and occupancy of indigenous populations.
tribal sovereignty
Indian reservations in the United States are treated almost as independent countries. They are allowed to govern
themselves and draft their own constitutions. This is known as Tribal Sovereignty. This is why gambling is
allowed on reservations in states, like Florida, where gambling is illegal elsewhere
domestic dependent nations
A type of sovereignty that places an American Indian tribe in the United States outside the authority of state
governments but reliant on the federal government for the interpretation and application of treaty provisions.
Phases of US Indian Law in order
Civilization/Alliance (1770-1830) Removal (1830-40) Containment (1860-1890)
Removal
Us is stronger now doesn't need indian allies tried surrounding indian lands w/ settlements so they would give it
up Giving up on idea that indians will assimilate
Containment
US wants all land, no land for Indians Put Indians on reservations (plenary)
Yei/Yeibachi (Holy People)
powerful spirits summoned by chants and sandpainting
Coyote
spirits used as tricksters or spirits who learn lesson Powerful "upend shit"
hozho (beauty, balance, state of order)
ceremonies performed to maintain/restore it deep connection b/w people and land
, hataali (singer)
medicine men study for years 24 chantaway complexes 11 still performed
4 sacred mountains
South: Blue Bead Mt. East: White Shell Mt West: Abalone Mt. North: Obsidian Mt
Ceremonies
Primary function to restore hozho heal sick by restoring hozho dance & song performed, sand paintings made
for ceremony then destroyed painting always contains some defect because cocky/bad luck to make something
perfect hataali sing to heal and call on Yei
Cherokee Creation
animals lived on solid rock water beetle got mud buzzard dried mud/carved mountains and valleys with wings
Selu
First woman. Corn Mother Used to rub belly and pits to get corn. Sons thought she was witch so killed her.
Performed ritual with her body to get corn to go but only did half thats why corn grows in seasons
Kana'ti
First Man. Hunter Kept all wild game in cave with entrance closed. Son and wild boy let animals out now
cherokee hunt
Jisdu
Trickster rabbit. Also spelled Jistu. The trickster figure is many SE tribes. Generally light-hearted character who
does not engage in serious wrongdoing and features in many children's stories; however, like most tricksters, he
is prone to humorously inappropriate behavior, particularly gluttony, carelessness, and an overinflated ego.
Some SE tribes believe it was Jistu who stole fire and brought it to the people.
Jeggsin
Andrew Jackson trickster
Doyunisi
• She reached The fire and took Out a small ember Of fire.
• Placed it in the dust dobber pot on her back and escaped the thunder people by going underwater
• The embers baked the pot and made it waterproof
• She brought fire to the cherokee people
• Taught them how to make pottery and fire it
Terrapin v. Wolf
Don't brag on yourself no one wants to hear it Wolf is loner now doesn't hang w/ others terrapin tricked wolf
into thinking he lost the race bc all terrapins cousins were at the hilltops
Rabbits Ears and Legs
