25 U.S.C. § 3601

Current through P.L. 118-106 (published on www.congress.gov on 10/04/2024)

Section 3601 - Findings

The Congress finds and declares that-

(1) there is a government-to-government relationship between the United States and each Indian tribe;

(2) the United States has a trust responsibility to each tribal government that includes the protection of the sovereignty of each tribal government;

(3) Congress, through statutes, treaties, and the exercise of administrative authorities, has recognized the self-determination, self-reliance, and inherent sovereignty of Indian tribes;

(4) Indian tribes possess the inherent authority to establish their own form of government, including tribal justice systems;

(5) tribal justice systems are an essential part of tribal governments and serve as important forums for ensuring public health and safety and the political integrity of tribal governments;

(6) Congress and the Federal courts have repeatedly recognized tribal justice systems as the appropriate forums for the adjudication of disputes affecting personal and property rights;

(7) traditional tribal justice practices are essential to the maintenance of the culture and identity of Indian tribes and to the goals of this chapter;

(8) tribal justice systems are inadequately funded, and the lack of adequate funding impairs their operation; and

(9) tribal government involvement in and commitment to improving tribal justice systems is essential to the accomplishment of the goals of this chapter.

25 U.S.C. § 3601

Pub. L. 103-176, §2, Dec. 3, 1993, 107 Stat. 2004.

STATUTORY NOTES AND RELATED SUBSIDIARIES

SHORT TITLE Pub. L. 103-176, §1, Dec. 3, 1993, 107 Stat. 2004, provided that: "This Act [enacting this chapter] may be cited as the 'Indian Tribal Justice Act'."

Indian tribe

The term "Indian tribe" means any Indian tribe, band, nation, pueblo, or other organized group or community, including any Alaska Native entity, which administers justice under its inherent authority or the authority of the United States and which is recognized as eligible for the special programs and services provided by the United States to Indian tribes because of their status as Indians.