What right do indigenous tribes possess according to the concept of tribal sovereignty?

Tribal sovereignty fundamentally encompasses the right of indigenous tribes to govern themselves. This principle recognizes that tribes have the authority to create their own laws, exercise self-determination, and manage their internal affairs without external interference. This self-governance is crucial for preserving tribal culture, traditions, and identity, enabling tribes to make decisions that best reflect their values and needs.

The concept of tribal sovereignty is intrinsically linked to historical treaties and legal precedents that affirm the political status of tribes as separate entities within the larger framework of a nation-state. This means that they maintain their own structures of governance, which can include executive, legislative, and judicial systems that are independent from the federal or state governments.

While land ownership and self-identification play significant roles in the context of indigenous rights, they do not capture the full extent of sovereignty as effectively as the right to govern. Similarly, forming alliances with the government is often a tactical move rather than a foundational aspect of sovereignty, which is primarily about self-rule and autonomy. Therefore, the central idea of tribal sovereignty directly correlates with the right of tribes to govern themselves.