An Indian tribe is a body of Indians of the same or similar race united in a community under one leadership or government, and inhabiting a particular territory. The term may vary from statute to statute as well. To determine whether a group has maintained tribal relations and structure to constitute a tribe, courts and legislatures examine many factors such as the extent of Indian governmental control over their lives and activities, and the extent to which the group exercises political control over specific territory.
Indian tribes are subordinate and dependent nations, protected by the doctrine of soverign immunity.
1360 deals with state civil jurisdiction in actions in which Indians are parties.