“The constitution, treaties, laws, and court decisions
have consistently recognized a unique political relationship
between Indian tribes and the United States.”

~ President Ronald Reagan ~

Sovereignty - Federal Law

Since the early 1800s, the Supreme Court of the United States consistently has recognized that Indian tribes are not private, voluntary organizations; they are governments, possessing inherent sovereign powers over their lands and their members. In 1831 (Cherokee Nation v. Georgia), the Supreme Court ruled that Indian Nations had the full legal right to manage their own affairs, govern themselves internally and engage in legal and political relationships with federal and state governments.

Tribal sovereignty is further rooted in the U.S. Constitution, Art. I, Sec. 8, cl. 3, and repeatedly has been affirmed by acts of Congress. Because tribes have the status of "domestic dependent nations," tribal lands held in trust by the federal government are considered federal lands and are subject to all the laws and regulations that Congress has passed on them, including environmental, criminal and tax laws. The Department of Interior's Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) is vested with the authority to govern tribal lands and tribal government dealings.

Sovereignty - State Law

A tribe's sovereignty is similar to that of a state. While federal law supercedes all authority on tribal lands, each reservation, through its tribal government, makes its own laws and ordinances, as well as maintaining social programs for its members. It also provides the services that any sovereign governmental entity would to its residents. Some tribes have reservations as large as a state and have their own police force, courts, environmental regulators and tax system.

In California, most reservations are small, many created by the Rancheria Acts of the early 20th Century. California is a Public Law 280 state, meaning the state has criminal and some civil jurisdiction over Indian lands, making it unnecessary for most tribes in the state to maintain their own police force or courts.

Under the terms of IGRA, every tribe is required to be federally recognized and reach an agreement called a tribal-state compact. Shingle Springs Rancheria has met both of these conditions and looks forward to the economic opportunities Indian gaming will bring to the area.

Politics

Today, there are 109 tribal governments in California. Each is a sovereign, self-governing nation. As Native Americans and a sovereign nation, the Shingle Springs Rancheria watches carefully for important legislation that may change or affect our daily lives, impact tribal sovereignty, and affect our business opportunities.

We encourage you to stay involved with the legislative system and communicate your viewpoints and opinions regularly to your elected officials. We have provided this directory of the members of Congress and the California State Legislature for you to use. Please take a moment to send your message off today. Let your voice be heard. You can make a difference.