Government
Sovereignty
An Overview
Before Europeans arrived in North America, American Indian tribes had their own customs, traditions, and laws. Although Europeans abhorred American Indian culture and attempted to destroy all traces of it, the American Indians were still viewed as a distinct people. As a result, American Indians are today viewed as sovereign nations, just as they were even before the United States was formed. Through their sovereignty, American Indian tribes govern themselves, regulate activities within their reservations, and manage the health, safety, and education of their people.
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Casino Regulation
Sovereign powers, which play a central role in the functioning of American Indian tribes, are especially visible in gaming. In 1987, the Supreme Court held that, as sovereign nations, tribes are inherently able to regulate gaming on their reservations. The Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe operate two casinos, the Grand Casino Hinckley and Grand Casino Mille Lacs, and utilize these institutions to address prevalent and long-term oppression and poverty in their community. This is just one example of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe using their sovereign powers to benefit their people.
Three Branches
Because all American Indian tribes are sovereign nations, they establish the laws and infrastructure that govern their reservations. The current Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe system of government, while different from that of many other Ojibwe tribes, very strongly reflects the current United States governmental structure. For example, within the tribe exists a division of powers based on checks and balances, including a Legislative, Executive, and Judicial Branch. Although there are fewer district representatives in the Legislative branch and officials hold different titles than those in the US government, the Mille Lacs Band's system of government, its members, election processes, and the use of specific terminology all have much in common with the US government.