Indian Commerce Clause Law and Legal Definition
Indian Commerce clause refers to right of the Congress to claim plenary and exclusive power over federal affairs with the Indian tribes. This clause is part of the commerce clause as enumerated under the constitution. This clause empowers Congress to regulate the tribal affairs. [Ramah Navajo Sch. Bd. v. Bureau of Revenue, 458 U.S. 832, 837 (U.S. 1982)]. However, this clause impose upon the state a duty to negotiate in good faith with an Indian tribe and authorizes a tribe to bring suit in federal court against a state in order to compel performance of a duty. [Seminole Tribe v. Fla., 517 U.S. 44 (U.S. 1996)].
