Does Native American law apply to tribal members or non-tribal members?

Native American law applies to tribal members in Washington. This is because tribal law applies to anyone living within the boundaries of a tribal nation. For example, the laws of the Tulalip Tribes of Washington apply to all people, whether they are tribal members or not, who reside within their reservation boundaries. This means that if a person lives on the reservation, even if they are not a tribal member, then they must abide by the tribal laws. For non-tribal members, however, Native American law does not apply. This is because Federal Law and the laws of the state of Washington, rather than tribal laws, generally apply to non-tribal members. This means that any laws passed by the state, or those of the United States, would take precedence over any tribal laws in regards to non-tribal members. In addition, Native American law cannot be enforced by tribal courts on non-tribal members. If a legal issue were to come up, the case would be decided by a state or federal court instead. Overall, Native American law strictly applies to tribal members in Washington, and any non-tribal members living within the reservation must abide by these laws. However, these laws do not apply to non-tribal members outside of the reservation.

Related FAQs

What are the requirements for tribal membership?
What is the government-to-government relationship?
Does the United Nations recognize the rights of Indigenous Peoples?
What is the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act?
Does tribal law override state law?
What is the Native American Tribal Sovereignty Protection Act?
What are the legal obligations of states to tribes and Native American resources?
What is the Indian Education Act?
What is the Indian Child Welfare Act?
What is the Indian Child Welfare Act?

Related Blog Posts

How Native American Law Impacts Tribal Sovereignty - July 31, 2023
Understanding the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act - August 7, 2023
5 Benefits of Tribal Participation in Federal Indian Law - August 14, 2023
What to Consider When Entering Into an Indian Country Jurisdiction - August 21, 2023
How To Draft an Enforceable Tribal Law - August 28, 2023