Indigenous Law, Governance & Citizenship

The Center logo is based upon a 17th century treaty between the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) and Dutch Colonists called the Guswentah, or Two Row Wampum, which symbolizes the two separate paths that must be followed and maintained by both native and colonizing peoples in order to promote peaceful relations.

The Guswentah, or Two-Row Wampum, a 17th Century Treaty between the Haudenosaunee and Dutch colonists defining the terms of peaceful relations.

The Center for Indigenous Law, Governance  Citizenship is a research based law and policy institute focused on Indigenous nations, their development and their interaction with the U.S. and Canadian governments.

The Center has five main goals:

1. To conduct policy analysis relating to all aspects of Indigenous sovereignty, its exercise and its recognition by other nations and governments;
2. To conduct analytical research relating to the law, governance, and citizenship of Indigenous nations and peoples;
3. To provide technical assistance to Indigenous nations seeking to reform their governing institutions and administrative laws, as well as to federal, state, local, and provincial governments seeking to reform their Indian affairs laws;
4. To provide education and training on Indian law and policy issues to attorneys (CLE), government officials (tribal, federal, provincial state, and local), and Indigenous and non-Indigenous community members; and
5. To promote a greater understanding of the law, governance, and history of the Haudenosaunee (the "People of the Longhouse").