State-recognized tribes in the United States

This article is part of a series on
Political divisions of
the United States
Coat of arms of the United States
First level
Second level
Third level
Fourth level
Other areas

United States portal

State-recognized tribes in the United States are organizations that identify as Native American tribes or heritage groups that do not meet the criteria for federally recognized Indian tribes but have been recognized by a process established under assorted state government laws for varying purposes or by governor's executive orders. State recognition does not dictate whether or not they are recognized as Native American tribes by continually existing tribal nations.

Individual states confer state-recognition "for their various internal state government purposes."[1] Members of a state-recognized tribe are still subject to state law and government, and the tribe does not have sovereign control over its affairs.

State recognition confers few benefits under federal law. It is not the same as federal recognition, which is the federal government's acknowledgment of a tribe as a dependent sovereign nation. Some states have provided laws related to state recognition that provide some protection of autonomy for tribes that are not recognized by the federal government. For example, in Connecticut, state law recognizing certain tribes also protects reservations and limited self-government rights for state-recognized tribes.

Non-recognized tribes is a term for "groups that have no federal designation and are not accepted as sovereign entities under U.S. law," which includes state-recognized tribes. "An additional sub-designation under this classification are 'Federally Non-Recognized' tribes, which includes groups that have previously held federal recognition, either under governments prior to the U.S. Federal Government or as Nations that are no longer in existence and/or no longer meet the criteria as a Nation to have sovereignty status."[2]

Such state recognition has at times been opposed by federally recognized tribes. Journalists Adam Elmahrek and Paul Pringle wrote, "Many Native Americans have long opposed allowing states to recognize tribes, arguing that the federal government should make the decision because states often fail to properly screen groups."[3] The Cherokee Nation opposes state-recognized tribes, as well as Cherokee heritage groups and others with no documented descent who claim Cherokee identity.[4]

Other groups that identify as being Native American tribes but lack federal or state recognition are listed in the List of organizations that self-identify as Native American tribes.

  1. ^ "American Indians and Alaska Natives - What are State Recognized Tribes?". Administration for Native Americans. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. Archived from the original on June 15, 2023. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
  2. ^ Hurst, Nicole. "Bureau of Indian Affairs: Terminology and Language". Bureau of Indian Affairs: Collection Information. Utah State University Libraries. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
  3. ^ Elmahrek, Adam; Pringle, Paul (31 December 2019). "Two tribes aren't recognized federally. Yet members won $500 million in minority contracts". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
  4. ^ "What is a real Indian Nation? What is a fake tribe?". Cherokee Nation. Archived from the original on 12 November 2014. Retrieved 15 May 2014.