Legal Definitions - Indian tribe

An Indian tribe is a group of indigenous American people who are recognized by the U.S. government as eligible for special programs and services because of their Indian status. This includes any Alaskan native village. A tribe may have a federally recognized governing body that carries out substantial governmental duties and powers over an area.

A tribe can be identified in various ways, such as through past dealings with other tribes or with the federal, state, or local government, or by recognition in historical records. However, there is no all-purpose definition of an Indian tribe, and definitions must be used with caution.

For example, the Navajo Nation is a federally recognized Indian tribe with a governing body that carries out substantial governmental duties and powers over their reservation in Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah. They are eligible for special programs and services provided by the U.S. government because of their Indian status.

Another example is the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe in Massachusetts, who were recently granted federal recognition in 2007. They now have a federally recognized governing body and are eligible for special programs and services provided by the U.S. government because of their Indian status.

These examples illustrate how Indian tribes are recognized by the U.S. government and are eligible for special programs and services because of their Indian status.