SOVEREIGN TRIBAL GOVERNMENTS
As federally-recognized tribal nations, the tribal Indian bands are considered "sovereign nations" by the U.S. federal government.

AMERICAN TRIBAL SOVEREIGNTY — American aboriginal tribes practiced their own forms of tribal governance for thousands of years prior to European intrusion and the formation of the United States government.
The Constitution of the United States, U.S. Supreme Court, federal and state laws, as well as historical treaties all support the tribes' present-day legal rights to self-government and certain limited forms of tribal sovereignty....
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STATISTICAL PERSPECTIVE
With some 19 federally-recognized Indian reservations, the County of San Diego has more Native American Indian reservations than any other county in the United States.
In California, there are approximately 109 federally-recognized American Indian tribal bands — that's more distinct tribes than in any other state. Further, California has the largest population of Native Americans of any other state.
In the entire United States, there are 565 federally-recognized tribes according to the BUREAU OF INDIAN AFFAIRS 2011 TRIBAL DIRECTORY (PDF).
THE FOUR INDIGENOUS TRIBES native to the County of San Diego include:
CAHUILLA-CUPENO-LUISENO-KUMEYAAY
Also visit the KUMEYAAY.INFO KUMEYAAY RESEARCH and CALIFORNIA INDIAN RESEARCH portals.
See our KUMEYAAY GUIDE for a list of the Kumeyaay reservations.
See our KUMEYAAY TIMELINE.
FOR AN HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE about California Indian tribal history, please review these trusted research articles:

GENOCIDE | ASSIMILATION
RELOCATION | INDIAN COUNTRY DIARIES
50 Frequently Asked Questions about American Indian tribes — "American Indian or Native American?" | "Tribe or Band?" | "Who is an American Indian?" | "What is Indian Country?" | "What is trust land?" | "What is sovereign immunity?"...
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INDIAN COUNTRY
DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
Check out our Department of Social Services for social services available to both urban and reservation Native American Indians in the greater San Diego County. Learn where and how to find and apply for medical, health and wellness services for California Indians, including temporary assistance for needy families TANF services, support services for monthly cash assistance, stipends for child care costs, transportation and/or mileage reimbursements, emergency assistance, referrals to other agencies and organizations; Career Development for on-the-job training, career assessments, job search assistance, labor market research; Payment of Employment and Educational Expenses for books and education supplies, uniforms and employment supplies, educational fees, clothing allowance for K-12 students; Incentives for academic incentives for K-12 students, GED/diploma and degree completion incentives, premarital counseling and marriage incentives...

SAN DIEGO INDIAN COMMUNITY
Meet your Southern California tribal community members — peruse our professional photo blogs, events, education, cultural and news blogs to meet your Southern California area urban and reservation Native American Indian neighbors.
In addition to the 18 Indian reservations in San Diego County, there are thousands of American Indians living off-reservation outside of reservations in urban communities.
Our Southern California San Diego Indian community resources are based on family values and we welcome you to contact your community resources for more information.
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