Do Native American laws override state laws?

The answer to the question of whether Native American laws override state laws in New York depends on the specific situation. Generally, the federal government has exclusive jurisdiction over Native American tribes. This means that tribal laws, customs, and regulations take precedence over state laws. However, state and local authorities may still have jurisdiction over certain matters that involve Native American reservations or individuals. Native American tribes within New York have a government-to-government relationship with the State of New York and the federal government. This means that the New York State government must work with tribal governments to develop laws that are mutually beneficial and that respect the rights of Native American citizens. State law may not contradict or interfere with tribal laws and customs that are related to the rights and property of the tribe. Additionally, Native American tribes have a sovereign status, which means that tribes are not subject to state control, and tribal governments have the right to self-governance. In some cases, tribal laws and state laws may conflict. In such situations, a court must decide from case to case which will have priority. Generally, state and federal courts will give preference to tribal law if it does not violate federal or state law. This means that, in some cases, Native American law may take precedence over state laws. However, it is important to remember that the tribal law must be consistent with the principles of federal and state law in order for this to be the case.

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