The Role of the Certificate of Degree of Indian Blood in Defining Native American Legal Identity

Paul Spruhan, assistant attorney general for the Ligitation and Employment Unit of the Navajo Nation Department of Justice, will present a lecture, "The Role of the Certificate of Degree of Indian Blood in Defining Native American Legal Identity."

Spruhan will talk about his essay which addresses the Certificate of Indian or Alaska Native Blood or “CDIB,” a document that proves an individual’s quantum of Native American blood. The certificate is a federal document issued by the Bureau of Indian Affairs or by tribal nations through a “638” self-determination contract, but without published regulations or even clear written guidelines. His essay discusses its mysterious origins, its primary purpose and its role in defining Native American legal identity. It also suggests some provisions to be included in final regulations, should the Bureau of Indian Affairs revive its attempt to publish certificate regulations.

He received his Bachelor of Arts in 1995 and his Master of Arts in 1996 from the University of Chicago. He received his Juris Doctor in 2000 from the University of New Mexico. He graduated Order of the Coif and received an Indian law certificate. He and his wife, Bidtah Becker, have two children and live in Fort Defiance, Arizona.

RSVP to ilp@asu.edu or 480-965-2922.