How do Indian tribes govern themselves?
Most tribal governments are organized democratically, that is, with an elected leadership. The governing body is generally referred to as a “council” and comprised of persons elected by vote of the eligible adult tribal members. The presiding official is the “chairman,” although some tribes use other titles such as “principal chief,” “president” or “governor.” An elected tribal council, recognized as such by the Secretary of the Interior, has authority to speak and act for the tribe and to represent it in negotiations with Federal State, and local governments. Tribal governments generally define conditions of membership, regulate domestic relations of members, prescribe rules of inheritance for reservation property not in trust status, levy taxes, regulate property under tribal jurisdiction, control conduct of members by tribal ordinances, and administer justice. Many tribes are organized under the Indian Reorganization Act (IRA) of 1934, including a number of Alaska Native villages, w
