Sovereignty: A Navajo Perspective

Abstract

eW Weas Navajo people, have an obligation to explain what we mean when we talk about sovereignty. We also need to explain that with sovereignty we assume a great amount of responsibility. Early in my administration, I visited the White House for a series of meetings between Indian leaders and cabinet members. One item I stressed is that we must protect and enhance our sovereignty. At the White House, I said that people do not really think about the meaning of the word tribal when it is used with sovereignty. To me tribal sovereignty is a contradiction in terms. Tribal refers only to members of a particular tribe. Is that sovereignty? I don't think so. Sovereignty is much more than regulating only tribal members. ; It means applying our laws to everybody within the territorial jurisdic: tion of a sovereign Indian Nation, whether they are other Indians, nonIndians, or foreign visitors. Our sovereignty covers everybody. o To an extent, as leaders of Indian Nations, when we call tribes, or when we refer to a tribal court, tribal council, tribal president, or tribal a 9 judge, we play into the hands of those who say the sovereignty of Indian Nations is limited to tribal members. We've seen that happen. [The court ruling in] Oliphant is a good example, because it says we