Native American Issues

Federal, state, tribal, and private attorneys rely on HRA to help them understand the deep historical roots of present-day legal issues involving American Indian tribes. We provide archival research, document management, report preparation, and expert witness testimony.

HRA assists attorneys with discovery, interrogatories, preparation of briefs, reviewing opposing expert witness reports, and trial preparation. We also help attorneys find and work with historical experts outside of HRA.

HRA’s expertise includes:

  • Treaty rights
  • Reservation boundaries
  • Jurisdictional issues
  • Water rights
  • Federal trustee responsibilities
  • Federal recognition

Featured Members

Featured Projects

The Tulalip Tribes, et al., v. the State of Washington, et al. (Quil Ceda Village Taxation)

As a part of litigation involving the taxation of business activities on Indian trust lands within the Tulalip Reservation, HRA historians researched the history of federal and tribal participation in the development of Quil Ceda Village, a tribally chartered and federally recognized municipality that formerly served as a WWII-era munitions depot and a postwar aircraft-testing area.

U.S. v. Michigan

HRA provided research, writing, and litigation support to the Michigan Attorney General for United States v. Michigan, which involved Indians’ hunting and fishing rights in a large inland area of Michigan.

Litigation Support

Contaminated Sites

HRA helps clients identify companies, government agencies, and other entities that may be responsible for the cleanup of Superfund and other contaminated sites.

Expert Witness Services

HRA historians have served as expert witnesses in litigation, as well as providing research and writing support for outside experts.

Water Rights and Adjudications

HRA provides historical research and writing for water rights litigation and adjudications throughout the West. We help clients determine priority dates and understand complex…