The United States recognizes nearly 600 tribes in more than 30 states and tribal sovereignty is protected in the U.S. Constitution, but local governments often lack a general knowledge of tribes’ culture and legal status. In their piece, “Understanding Tribal Sovereignty: An Essential Primer for Productive Native American Relations,” Grover and Newton address the history of recognition of tribal sovereignty, tribal self-determination and self-governance, government-to-government relations with tribes, civil and criminal jurisdictional issues, taxation and other contemporary issues.

Originally published in IMLA’s Municipal Lawyer’s November/December issue.