Legal Definitions - Indian tribe

An Indian tribe refers to an organized community or group of Indigenous American people, including any Alaska Native village, that has a special legal relationship with the United States government. This relationship means they are formally acknowledged as eligible for specific federal programs, services, and protections.

Often, a recognized Indian tribe will have its own governing body that exercises significant governmental authority and responsibilities over its members and, in many cases, over a defined geographic area. The recognition of a group as an Indian tribe can stem from historical interactions with federal, state, or local governments, treaties, or other official acknowledgments. It's important to note that the specific criteria for recognition can sometimes vary depending on the particular law or federal program in question.

• Example 1: The Navajo Nation, a federally recognized Indian tribe, operates its own extensive court system, manages its reservation lands for economic development and environmental protection, and runs its own police force. It also receives federal funding for healthcare, education, and infrastructure projects.

  Explanation: This illustrates an Indian tribe exercising significant governmental functions (judicial, land management, law enforcement) over its territory and members, consistent with its federally recognized status and eligibility for U.S. government programs and services.

• Example 2: The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe in Massachusetts, after a lengthy process, achieved federal recognition. This status allowed them to establish a tribal government, create a tribal housing authority to address community needs, and apply for federal grants specifically designated for recognized tribes to support cultural preservation and economic development initiatives.

  Explanation: This demonstrates how federal recognition enables an organized group of Indigenous people to formalize their governance, access specific federal programs, and pursue self-determination, fulfilling the criteria of an Indian tribe.

• Example 3: The Native Village of Kotzebue in Alaska, a federally recognized Alaska Native village, manages local programs for elder care, provides essential community services like water and sanitation, and advocates for its members' rights regarding subsistence hunting and fishing. They often work directly with federal agencies on these matters, bypassing state government.

  Explanation: This example highlights an Alaska Native village, which is explicitly included in the definition of an Indian tribe, exercising governmental functions and managing community affairs for its members, demonstrating its recognized status and eligibility for federal programs and services.