Research Article: Public Lands Litigation Alliances between Native American and Public Interest Groups

Abstract

Native American tribes and organizations and other public interest groups, including environmental and religious ones, sometimes partner in litigation about public lands management. This study examines three such litigation alliances involving disputes over National Park Service and US Forest Service policies and management concerning public land containing sites considered sacred by Native Americans. Specifically, it explores factors such as trust, complementary resources, and compatibility that are considered in deciding whether to create a litigation alliance between indigenous and non-indigenous partners. Questions asked in this research relate to the Yin method of case study research: How did these alliances come about and why were these allies chosen? More importantly, what are the key elements in a successful alliance? Based on the proposition that “organizations collaborate (ally) because they derive mutual benefits,” this article explores, through archival research and interview format, what real...