Tribal sovereignty refers to the inherent right of Indigenous tribes in the United States to govern themselves. They are considered "domestic dependent nations," meaning they have a direct relationship with the federal government rather than the individual states in which they are located.
Tribes have the power to create their own laws, operate their own justice systems, manage their own land, and provide services to their citizens. This power does not come from the U.S. government; it is an inherent right that existed before the U.S. was founded.
The U.S. federal government has a "trust responsibility" to protect tribal lands and resources. Tribes deal directly with federal agencies (like the Bureau of Indian Affairs) and enter into treaties that are recognized as the law of the land.
In most cases, state laws (like taxes or zoning) do not apply on tribal reservations unless Congress explicitly says they do. This can sometimes lead to complex legal questions between tribal and state authorities.