Since 1953, special jurisdictional rules have operated in California, as well as several other states. Congress mandated these rules in a statute known as Public Law 280. Public Law 280 withdrew federal criminal jurisdiction on reservations in the designated states, and authorized those same states to assume criminal jurisdiction and to hear civil cases against Indians arising in Indian Country. In states without Public Law 280, the federal government has authority over most reservation crimes except for minor crimes involving only Indians; tribes have criminal jurisdiction over crimes committed by Indians, some of which overlaps with federal criminal jurisdiction; and the states lack civil and criminal jurisdiction over Indians in Indian Country. California tribes suffer not only from funding inequities, but also from the jurisdictional effects of Public Law 280.
Health of American Indian and Alaska Native Elders in California
This report examines the health risks, health status and health services use of the American Indian/Alaska Native (AIAN) elders in California, home to one of the nation's largest populations of AIAN elderly. Specifically, this report uses the California Health Interview Survey (CHIS) to provide omnibus data on a range of issues, including demographics, obesity, alcohol and tobacco use, as well as cancer screening, mental health, health insurance and more.
The Persistence of American Indian Health Disparities
This article reviews the history of health disparities experienced by American Indians for over 500 years and identifies inequities and pollical motivations as contributors to this chronic issue. In conclusion the author invites the reader to a call to action by bringing awareness to the problem as a baseline to combat the inequities and health disparities among the American Indian population.
Indian Health Services Fact Sheets
Indian Health Service (IHS) is a federal organization established in 1787 with the sole responsibility of healthcare delivery to the Native peoples in the United States. Highlighted in this document are comparative high health at risk percentages resulting from the healthcare disparities experienced by the Native American population.