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In the United States, anAmerican Indian tribe,Native American tribe,Alaska Native village,Indigenous tribe, orTribal nation may be any current or historicaltribe, band, ornation ofNative Americans in the United States. Modern forms of these entities are often associated with land or territory of anIndian reservation. "Federally recognized Indian tribe" is a legal term in United States law with a specific meaning.
A Native American tribe recognized by the United States government possessestribal sovereignty, a "domestic dependent, sovereign nation" status[1] with the U.S. federal government that is similar to that of a state in some situations, and that of a nation in others, holding a government-to-government relationship with thefederal government of the United States.
The term "tribe" is defined in the United States for somefederal government purposes to include only tribes that arefederally recognized by theBureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), and thoseAlaska Native tribes established pursuant to theAlaska Native Claims Settlement Act [43 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.]. Such tribes, includingAlaska Native village or regional corporations recognized as such, are known as "federally recognized tribes" and are eligible for special programs and services provided by theUnited States. The BIA, part of the US Department of the Interior, issuesCertificate of Degree of Indian Blood, which tribes use as a basis for tribal enrollment in most cases. Federally recognized tribes are "unique governmental entities and are not extensions of State or local governments."[1]
In addition to their status as legal entities, tribes have political, social, and historical rights and responsibilities. The term also refers to communities of Native Americans who historically inhabit a particular landbase and share a language and culture.[2]
