The 'Drunken Indian:' Myth Distilled into Reality Through Federal Indian Alcohol Policy

Miller, Robert J.; Hazlett, Maril

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The 'Drunken Indian:' Myth Distilled into Reality Through Federal Indian Alcohol Policy

Arizona State Law Journal, Vol. 28, No. 1, 1996

78 Pages Posted: 17 Jul 2008

See all articles by Robert J. Miller

Robert J. Miller

Arizona State University (ASU) - Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law

Maril Hazlett

affiliation not provided to SSRN

Date Written: 1996

Abstract

Media stereotypes of Indians abound. The myth of the "drunken Indian" competes with the myth of the "noble savage." Federal Indian alcohol policy helps to perpetuate the myth of out of control alcohol problems in Indian Country. This Article addresses the history of federal alcohol control, policies, and paternalism over American Indian Nations and Indian people. Indian Nations should be allowed to determine and should take control over alcohol issues on their reservations and for their citizens.

Keywords: alcohol, alcoholism, American Indian alcohol policy, prohibition, dry reservations, federal paternalism

Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation

Miller, Robert J. and Hazlett, Maril, The 'Drunken Indian:' Myth Distilled into Reality Through Federal Indian Alcohol Policy (1996). Arizona State Law Journal, Vol. 28, No. 1, 1996, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1160478