Tribe (Native American)

"Federally recognized Indian tribe" is a legal term in United States law with a specific meaning.

The BIA, part of the US Department of the Interior, issues Certificate of Degree of Indian Blood, which tribes use as a basis for tribal enrollment in most cases.

Federally recognized tribes are "unique governmental entities and are not extensions of State or local governments.

"[1] In addition to their status as legal entities, tribes have political, social, and historical rights and responsibilities.

The term also refers to communities of Native Americans who historically inhabit a particular landbase and share a language and culture.