"Native American tribes were independent, self-governing communities long before the arrival of the European nations. The government-to-government relationship between tribal governments and the federal government has existed since the formation of the United States. The U.S. Constitution, Article I, Section 8, Clause 3 states: To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes.

The federal government deals with Native American tribes as governments - not as special interest groups, not as individuals, and not as other entities. In the same manner as the U.S. deals with states as governments, it also deals with Native American tribes as governments.

Tribes are also set up internally as governments with tribal government leaders elected into office by tribal members of voting age. At our tribe, five individuals are elected into office to serve on the tribe's Business Committee, which includes the Tribal Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary/Treasurer and two Business Committee members at large. Tribal elections are held every two years.

Throughout the nation, tribal governments are organized to work with local, state and federal governments by building government-to-government relationships. Tribal leaders take great pride in the relationships they have developed with government agencies on a federal, state and local level."

Get the Story:
Vincent Armenta: Understanding the nature of tribal government (The Santa Maria Times 3/19)

Relevant Links:
Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians - http://www.santaynezchumash.org

Related Stories:
Chumash Tribe hires big guns for land-into-trust bid (3/16)
County to file letter opposing Chumash Tribe land bid (08/23)
Chumash chair says county declares war on tribe (08/18)
Editorial: Many reasons to oppose trust land bid (8/11)
County opposes Chumash Tribe's land-into-trust (8/10)
Editorial: Chumash Tribe doesn't need more land (8/8)
County board joins Chumash land-into-trust fight (07/27)
Discussions ongoing over Chumash trust land bid (7/21)
Chumash Tribe makes another trust land request (07/20)
Residents fight Chumash Tribe's land-into-trust (7/19)
County reconsiders Chumash land-into-trust deal (7/12)
Editorial: Deadline needed for deal on trust land (06/23)
Chumash Tribe near deal with county on trust land (6/22)
Editorial: Indian wars continue in Santa Ynez Valley (05/27)
Chumash Tribe makes new land-into-trust request (05/13)
Davy Crockett actor drops Chumash Tribe from plan (03/04)
Appeal filed over Chumash Tribe's land-into-trust (02/25)
Editorial: Don't ask tribe to give up sovereign rights (2/24)
Editorial: Chumash Tribe and county make progress (2/17)
Chumash tribe and county agree on trust land (2/15)
County to talk with Chumash Tribe over trust land (02/10)
BIA approves Chumash Tribe's land-into-trust request (01/26)
Conviction of tribal official spurs new probes (01/13)
LA Times: Explosion of wealth changes Chumash Tribe (12/03)
Neighbors fear Chumash Tribe's development plans (11/24)
California to review tribal gaming regulators (11/16)
NIGC worried about Chumash Tribe's regulation (10/29)
Schwarzenegger wants gaming tribes to open books (10/20)
Chumash Tribe criticized for regulating casino (10/19)
Chumash Tribe still in talks for major development (10/05)
Editorial: The never ending Indian wars in California (06/30)
Residents challenge county to fight Chumash Tribe (06/16)
Chumash Tribe's development deal stirs opposition (06/07)
Davy Crockett actor under fire for working with tribe (05/17)
Chumash Tribe to turn land into housing community (03/16)
Once outspoken, county official now mum about tribe (03/23)
County official won't resign for calling tribe uneducated (03/10)
Elected official called Calif. tribe unsophisticated (3/5)