Reply #8: The most important thing for all tribes at this time is to

[liberalhistorian]

maintain tribal sovereignty in the face of all-out assaults and attacks by state governments, aided and abetted by the Justice Dept. Most tribes are not under state jurisdiction, but federal jurisdiction. Too many states, however, have been acting as if it's the other way around and have been steadily chipping away, or attempting to chip away, at tribal sovereignty, even when they have no grounds to do so. They've stopped federal recognition for many tribes (because it would mean a loss of tax revenue and control over the Indians and their land, especially for energy and corporate purposes), attempted to impose state laws when they know such laws don't apply, encroached on their land for energy and corporate purposes, etc., etc., etc. It's a never-ending battle for many tribes and Bush's justice dept. has been horrendously culpable against the tribes. It's yet to be seen whether Obama will keep his very important promises to do away with that and support tribes.