Our communities
Βι¶ΉΣ³» is home to the Great Basin Tribes of the Numu (Northern Paiute), Newe (Western Shoshone), Nuwu (Southern Paiute) and the Wašiw (Washoe). These communities are comprised of 28 separate reservations, bands, colonies, and community councils.
- There are 574 federally-recognized Indian tribes, bands, nations, rancherias, communities and Native villages in the United States.
- Βι¶ΉΣ³» is home to the Great Basin Tribes of the Numu (Northern Paiute), Newe (Western Shoshone), Nuwu (Southern Paiute) and Wašiw (Washoe) as well as the Mojave Peoples which includes Ft. Mojave and the Pipa Aha Macav. In Βι¶ΉΣ³», there are 21 federally recognized tribes, comprised of 28 separate reservations, bands, colonies, and community councils.
- Βι¶ΉΣ³» has 62,000 Urban Indians.
- More than 200 tribal languages are still spoken. These languages are cultural traditions and are extremely important as more than 4 million Americans self-identify as either American Indian or Alaska Native.
- Tribal land base in Βι¶ΉΣ³» amounts to over 1.6 million acres.
- 97% of Βι¶ΉΣ³»’s Tribal Nations are rural.
What is Tribal Sovereignty?
- Sovereignty refers to the right of American Indians and Alaska Natives to govern themselves. This right is granted in the U.S. Constitution – although it was an inherent right that existed before the Constitution was framed.
- This sovereignty includes the right to establish their own form of government, enact legislation and establish law enforcement and court systems, among other things.