The Indian Resources Section conducts and supervises civil litigation on behalf of the United States both in the prosecution of suits for the benefit of federally recognized Indian tribes and their members and in the defense of suits challenging statutes, regulations, and agency action designed to protect the rights of Indian tribes or their members. These defensive suits include, but are not limited to, suits against the Department of the Interior and/or the National Indian Gaming Commission and their officials. Lawsuits brought by Indian tribes or their members against the United States or federal officials are generally the responsibility of the Natural Resources Section (See JM 5-7.000). The Indian Resources Section's docket includes cases involving protection of tribal real property, including lands, water rights, and mineral rights. In addition, the Section litigates to protect hunting and fishing rights, reservation boundaries, and tribal jurisdiction.

[updated April 2018]