There are more than 550 legally recognized Indian Tribes in the United States.

Posted: September 9th, 2023

There are more than 550 legally recognized Indian Tribes in the United States. To learn more about tribal government, read the National Congress of Americans Indians: An Introduction to Indian Nations in the United States. This report provides a good overview of how tribal governments are organized and function. It explains the relationship between tribal governance and the federal government.
Read the report and then answer the following questions:
* Review the 7 FAQ’s on pages 4-8 in the report. Pick two different facts and, in 3-4 sentences for each, explain how the information provided increased your understanding of Native Americans.
* American Indian and Alaskan Native tribes are Sovereign Nations. In 3-4 sentences, explain what being a sovereign nation means.
* Read the explanation of the relationship between the federal government and the tribes (pages 17-18 of the report). What challenges do you think face tribes in their efforts to provide for the well-being of their members? (1-2 paragraphs).