New 22nd Edition of The Bluebook Adds Tribal Law Citation Rules

The latest edition of The Bluebook: A Uniform System of Citation is hot off the presses.  Although this 22nd edition retains the same basic approach to legal citation, there are some notable changes, including one that I’m especially excited about: the addition of Tribal law citation rules.

• A new Rule 22 provides instructions for citing Tribal Nations in legal writing
• Additionally, Rule 21.4 in the Treaties section now includes specific guidance for citing treaties with Tribal Nations, treating them with the same recognition and respect accorded to any other sovereign party
• The edition also adds Table 1.5: Tribal Nations, providing a reference list of all 574 federally recognized Tribal Nations

Tribal governments in the United States produce thousands of statutes, regulations, and case law each year. Yet until now, practitioners, academics, and law students have received little guidance on accurately and consistently citing these resources. The inclusion represents more than technical guidance—it reflects growing recognition of Tribal Nations as sovereign entities whose legal systems deserve proper citation standards. I hope this change will encourage Tribal law to be a regular part of the foundational legal education for future law students. For practicing attorneys handling cases involving Tribal law, the new rules provide much-needed clarity and consistency. For scholars, they offer standardized methods for incorporating Indigenous legal sources into academic work. The inclusion of Tribal law citation rules marks a significant step toward more inclusive legal scholarship and practice, ensuring that all legal authorities receive appropriate recognition through clear, consistent citation methods. This change to the Bluebook was spearheaded by a small group of law librarians who recognized the need for inclusive citation standards and worked with the editors to draft comprehensive rules.  I was honored to be part of this group led by Amber Madole of the University of Southern California Law Library.