What is the Indian Self-Government Act?

The Indian Self-Government Act (ISGA) is a North Carolina law that was passed in 1995 in order to give Native Americans more autonomy over their own affairs. This act was designed to give the Native American tribes in North Carolina an opportunity to interact directly with state and federal governments on a level playing field. Under the act, the State of North Carolina authorizes the tribes to enter into agreements that set limits on how and where the tribes may exercise their self-government authority. By entering into these agreements, tribes can create laws that are specific to their culture and customs without having to abide by any state or federal laws that may be in place. This allows the tribes to govern themselves and handle their own affairs, such as taxation, education, housing, and fishing rights. The act also allows the tribes to have a more direct relationship with state and federal governments through the establishment of official Tribal Relations committees. These committees are set up to discuss issues of mutual importance and to develop plans of action to benefit both the tribes and the wider community. Additionally, the act provides funding to the tribes to help them with the implementation of their self-government programs and to provide services to members of the tribes. This funding is used to support various programs such as health and education initiatives, to help create jobs, and to preserve the Native American culture. The Indian Self-Government Act has been a positive development for the Native American tribes in North Carolina, as it provides them with the autonomy to decide how they want to manage their own affairs, while also allowing them to participate in the larger community.

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