Tribal Nations are classified as political entities due to their longstanding history as sovereign nations. Tribal membership is not a racial category but, instead, is a political one that entails rights and responsibilities. There are nation-to-nation relationships between Tribal Nations and the United States. The federal government has obligations to uphold its trust responsibilities. 

There are 574 federally recognized tribes in the United States. The citizens of these sovereign tribal governments reside worldwide, including in rural and urban areas throughout the United States. Tribal Nations are recognized under the laws of the United States as domestic dependent nations. They have been recognized as such in the United States Constitution, a number of treaties, and through federal Indian case law which is recognized by the U.S. Supreme Court. ONAC works with a number of these Tribal Nations and their citizens, as well as others. 

Resources:

https://thecoalitiongroup.net/

https://www.indian.senate.gov/wp-content/uploads/02.05.25-Indian-Affairs-Committee-Chairman-Murkowski-Letter-to-OMB.pdf

https://nativenewsonline.net/currents/senate-committee-on-indian-affairs-chair-interior-department-say-tribes-should-not-be-part-of-dei-executive-order

https://oklahomavoice.com/2025/03/10/for-indian-country-federal-cuts-decimate-core-tribal-programs/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=Newsletter+Subscribers&utm_campaign=6a66c3f1f8-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2025_03_08_07_51&utm_term=0_-6a66c3f1f8-101057855

https://www.kosu.org/race-culture/2025-02-06/tribal-leaders-commend-secretary-of-interior-for-their-exemption-from-order-slashing-dei-programs