What protection do Native Americans have under U.S. law?

Native Americans in Oklahoma enjoy special legal privileges and protections under U.S. law. These protections are based on a unique legal relationship between the federal government and Native American tribes. The U.S. Constitution and subsequent federal statutes recognize Native American tribes as separate entities from the federal government, with certain rights and privileges. The U.S. government recognizes the right of Native American tribes to make and enforce their own laws over their members and territories, and the federal government is bound by treaty obligations to protect the tribes from external aggression. Additionally, tribal members are shielded from state and federal taxation and can only be prosecuted in federal court for crimes committed on tribal land. Perhaps the most important protection that Native American tribes have is the right to self-determination. This allows tribes to retain their cultural integrity and control their own land and resources. Tribes are also exempt from certain federal labor laws and can establish their own regulations concerning the use of natural resources, including hunting and fishing rights. Overall, Native Americans have significant protection from abuse or exploitation under U.S. law. They are able to retain their culture while also enjoying the privileges of U.S. citizenship.

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