| Contents Notes |
Ch. 1. Introduction -- Indian Nations and States: Sovereign Governments, Mutual Interests and Common Concerns -- Interactions Between States and Tribes Are Changing -- Cooperation and Mutual Respect Leads to Positive Results for Both Tribes and States -- Cooperative Agreements Protect Jurisdiction and Avoid Expensive Legal Conflicts -- Ch. 2. Structure and Operation of Tribal Governments -- Federal Policy Toward Indian Nations -- Tribal Sovereignty -- Relationship to State Sovereignty -- Treaties -- Trust Relationship -- The Structure of Tribal Governments -- Tribal Lands -- Answers to Frequently Asked Questions About Indian Nations -- Ch. 3. State Governments: Focus on the Legislatures -- The State-Federal Relationship -- The Structure of State Governments -- The Structure of State Legislatures -- Legislative Diversity -- Term Limits -- Legislative Leadership -- Legislative Committees -- Legislative Staff -- Legislative Mechanisms for Addressing Tribal Issues -- Answers to Frequently Asked Questions About State Legislatures -- Ch. 4. Working With Neighboring Governments -- Why Work With Tribal Governments? -- How to Work Effectively With Tribal Governments -- Why Work With State Legislators? -- How to Work Effectively With State Legislators -- Ch. 5. Conclusion. State and tribal governments have common purposes: to use public resources effectively and efficiently, to provide comprehensive services to their respective citizens, and to protect the natural environment, all while sustaining healthy economies. Neighboring governments, as a practical matter, share many aspects of their respective economic and social systems, and are connected through political and legal relationships. Although these mutual interests have created jurisdictional disputes that historically have been solved through litigation, there is an increasing need for cooperation. Public resources are an issue for all governments, and state and tribes can benefit by collaborating and pooling resources to the fullest extent possible. |
