Lisa has taught at all levels from kindergarten to college and has a master's degree in human relations.
Did you know that there are over 550 independent nations within the United States? Each federally recognized tribe of Native American people has its own government called a tribal government. Each tribal government is an important part of the American government system. A tribal government interacts with the federal government as a sovereign nation and has legal jurisdiction over its own land. Tribal sovereignty was formed as a result of hundreds of treaties and federal actions between the U.S. government and Native American tribes.
Tribal governments can impose taxes, pass laws and create a court system. They provide many programs and services to the people they govern such as education, emergency services, social programs and land management. They also maintain infrastructure such as roads and public works facilities.
How do tribal governments organize themselves in order to accomplish these tasks? Many tribes have a tribal constitution somewhat like the U.S. Constitution. Because of this their tribal government is similar to that of the United States federal government with three branches of government that allow for a separation of powers between the executive, legislative and judicial branches. These governments will have a Chief, sometimes called a Governor or President, who holds the executive power. (This is often an elected position.) A Tribal Council will hold the legislative power to create laws. A tribal court system will have judicial powers to enforce those laws and settle disputes within its jurisdiction. However, some tribe's constitutions do not call for separate branches of power. In this case, the tribal government consists of a Tribal Council which is led by a Tribal Chair. This council is one entity that handles all of the executive, legislative and judicial duties for the tribal government.
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All relationships between tribal governments and the federal government are unique and were formed via treaties and legal actions. However, in most of these relationships the federal government is responsible for protecting tribes and their properties as a whole, while the tribal government is responsible for overseeing its people and lands. This means that although each tribal nation is recognized as sovereign, the U.S. Congress can still pass laws that affect some tribal governments.
Since they have no jurisdiction over tribal matters, state governmental bodies generally allow tribal governments to run without interference. This allows for cooperative relationships at local levels of government when issues arise which fall in both state and tribal jurisdictions.
A tribal government is the government of a federally recognized tribe of Native American people in the United States. Tribal governments usually have a tribal constitution that organizes its structure. Many of these constitutions mirror the United States Constitution and organize the government into three branches, creating a separation of powers. The executive power is held by a Chief. A Tribal Council holds the legislative power. Some type of tribal court system is set up to handle judicial issues. Some tribal constitutions require a government that consists of a Tribal Council, led by a Tribal Chair, that carries out all government duties.
State governments have no jurisdiction and usually do not interfere in tribal matters. However, tribal governments have a unique relationship with the federal government. A tribal government is seen as a sovereign nation. Treaties and legal actions provide tribal nations with jurisdiction over their own lands and people. These treaties also usually make the federal government responsible for protecting the tribes and their properties as a whole, allowing them some legal power over the tribal government.
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AEPA Political Science/American Government (AZ006): Practice & Study Guide30 chapters | 307 lessons | 20 flashcard sets
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