Indigenous Governance

Abstract

Abstract Indigenous Governance is a comprehensive, critical examination of Native political systems—the senior political sovereigns on the North American continent in terms of their origin, development, structures, and operation. Nearly six hundred Indigenous governments operate on lands connected to the state and federal governments. This study will, of necessity, be a broad comparative and illustrative analysis of these organic bodies. This study provides both the recognition and respect due to Indigenous governments while offering a critique of attributes that merit scrutiny. Governments are human constructions and, therefore, imperfect institutions. This appraisal will highlight their history, evolution, internal and intergovernmental issues, and diverse structures. These governments have always mattered to their constituencies but, today, given the weight and importance of many issues confronting Native peoples—from the devastating and lingering health and economic impact of COVID-19 to the profound environmental problems that have been exacerbated by climate change, and jurisdictional conflicts with local, state, and federal actors—they arguably matter even more to their peoples and the broader society. Native governments command attention as, after recovery from decades of federal dominance and dependence, they now exercise greater degrees of political, economic, and cultural power, and have become critically important as the chief providers of basic services and the authors of solutions to collective problems in their societies. They are major vessels of Indigenous-infused democratic politics; they are, for many communities—including non-Native neighbors—the largest spenders and employers; and key players in negotiating intergovernmental agreements that fortify their unique political status.

Topics & Concepts