Oklahoma Academic Standard 4. The student will examine the formation of the American system of government following the American Revolution.

Objective 5.4.4 Describe the relationship between the federal government and sovereign American Indian nations, as established under the Constitution of the United States.

In a Nutshell

Students should comprehend the evolving relationship between indigenous tribes and the newly formed federal government as one based on treaties made between two equal powers. Students should also recognize that the Constitution recognizes that tribal nations are sovereign nations, retaining their inherent powers of self-government.

Teacher Action 

Student Action 

• Assist students to explain the structure, responsibilities, and powers exercised by national officials of the United States government with relationship to the authorities of tribal nations. 

• Examine the purposes of government and laws, as stated in the Constitution of the United States, with specific attention to the status of American Indian nations established in the Commerce Clause. 

Key Concepts 

Misconceptions 

• tribal government, nation-to-nation status of Indian nations with the United States government, treaty, sovereignty

• Commerce Clause (Article 1, Section 8, Clause 3 of the Constitution), power to regulate commerce 

• Many students may assume that relationships between the federal or state governments and Indian nations has frequently been characterized by conflict; whereas, as early as the federal era, indigenous tribes were legally recognized as sovereign entities.

Instructional Resources