I selected the video that concentrates on Tribal
Sovereignty, and along with now having the spelling of “sovereignty” drilled
into my brain, I also have a greater understanding of what tribe really means
in modern day legal context. “Indian
Tribes are governments.” (Robinson, 2010),
this seems to be a very simple definition, but I, personally, have never heard
the two concepts worded together in that way.
In school I was taught that the tribes were a governing body that
the individuals belonging to that tribe fell under and they listened to the
laws and regulations set forth by their leaders within their tribes. Sometimes tribes came together, such as with
the Iroquois, and govern a larger group in a somewhat parliamentary style, but
the idea that was expressed to me is that they only existed in the past and
existed today in name alone. I live next
to two reservations and thought that they kept their tribal names as a memento
of some sort, very ignorant of me if I do say so myself. “Tribal Governments are one of the four types
of federally recognized governments in the United States.” (Robinson, 2010) This means that tribal law is held to the
same degree as State, County and City and therefore the people who made this
video were attempting to get that point across first and foremost. This little fact is the basis for multiple
native issues today, the fact that the vast majority of individuals in the U.S.
are not taught that Tribal government is the same as state and city. Therefore, inequality and a lack of respect
for tribal wishes is the result of the perception that these issues are coming
from a body of people who do not have any legal say. This can lead to discrimination, stereotyping
and a major lack of respect for governing bodies that we share land and
resources with. I feel the overall goal
of this video was to express to citizens of the U.S. that Native issues are
U.S. issues and vice versa, therefore they require cooperation and respect from
both parties to move the nation to progress and unification.
Works
Cited:
T.,
& Robinson, G. (2010). Tribal Sovereignty: The Right to Self-Rule.
Retrieved April 02, 2016, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3pohsdryNc
Hi Patrick,
ReplyDeleteFunny, I also struggle with spelling sovereignty until I took this class. You bring up interesting points in your blog. I think it is about time that Tribal governments are recognized by the U.S. However, having read "The Prince" by Machiavelli, I can see why the U.S. government may have some trepidation about granting this authority. I am guessing that the more conservative members of the government feel that this move is in some sense, relinquishing the power of the U.S. government. However, the global trend these days is toward more equality and civil rights. In addition, in with the advances in communication, it is hard to repress justice, and justice is long overdue for the Natives.
I agree with Harish in that I am still confused as to how have a government within a government. I understand the meaning and the jurisdiction of the Native American Sovereignty. I am not sure that it is the trepidation of giving up 'power' by the U.S. Government, but the ability to understand on how to have a government within a government. Who's laws, rule and regulations are correct? Will it get to the point where U.S. Citizens will have to have passports to travel between established states that have reservations on them? It is one many question that haven arisen in my mind since I stated this class. How do we give the power to Native Americans that they are requesting, along with ensuring that they get all the benefits of a U.S. Citizens. Is this something that we should divide the nation over? Should the Native Americans have their own government that have ambassadors to the United States but don't receive the benefits of being a citizen of the United States? So many questions and no clear answers on how to make everyone happy.
ReplyDeleteIndian Nations are sovereign because they have the power to control the reservation. The federal government has special trust obligations to protect tribal lands and resources, protect tribal rights to self-government, and provide services necessary for tribal survival and advancement. The Federal government holds absolute power over tribal life and laws and could reduce a tribe’s sovereignty. Federally recognized tribes possess a residue of sovereignty, which enables them to use their land base in self-determined ways not subject to state laws. However, it is not generally recognized that state-recognized tribes. I am with you it sounds confusing.
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