States, cities & tribes
tribal sovereignty
The inherent authority of federally recognized tribal nations to govern themselves: their own governments, courts, laws, and citizenship rules.
In full
Tribes are separate sovereigns that predate the United States, not subdivisions of states. Their authority is inherent rather than delegated, though Congress has exercised broad power to limit it. Tribal governments run courts, police, schools, health systems, and elections, and state law generally does not apply in Indian country absent congressional authorization.
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A plain-language explanation for civic education, not legal advice. When in doubt, the official source named above controls.