When we look back over the pages of time, we observe that all major accomplishments of Indian people were brought about when unity was present. The major victory which our people enjoyed here at this very battlefield was the result of a unified effort among Indian people. We are grateful to tribal leaders for their support and for their understanding while we assembled this report and the following points for consideration. American Indians, the aboriginal people of the Western Hemisphere, are accustomed to having an intimate relationship with the natural laws of the Earth. Keep in mind, it is within this context that they approached treaty negotiations which would ultimately define their sovereign status.
Tribal sovereignty is used quite frequent in today's discussions about Indian affairs.
It was a term that did not exist in the native languages. It became a necessary term as European people and native people negotiated and defined agreements. Moreover, it continues to carry with it a defining nature for the future of Indian affairs. Tribal sovereignty is to be protected for today and for the future. This is so much so that a legislator in the Southwest erroneously tried to enact the Indian Sovereignty Definition Act of 1998.