In 1948, Congress gave the concept of Indian Country its present definition. 18USC section 1151 provides: "Indian Country" means: All land within the limits of any Indian reservation under the jurisdiction of the United States government, notwithstanding the issuance of any patent, and including rights-of-way running through the reservation; All dependent Indian communities within the borders of the United States, whether within the original or subsequently acquired territory thereof; and All Indian allotments, the Indian titles to which have not been extinguished, including rights-of-way running through the same. Return to List of FAQs
