George H.W. Bush: “the Federal Government and Indian Tribal Governments June 14, 1991 On January 24, 1983, the Reagan-Bush administration…”

“the Federal Government and Indian Tribal Governments June 14, 1991 On January 24, 1983, the Reagan-Bush administration issued a statement on Indian policy recognizing and reaffirming a government-to- government relationship between Indian tribes and the Federal Government. This relationship is the cornerstone of the Bush-Quayle administration's policy of fostering tribal self-government and self- determination. This government-to-government relationship is the result of sovereign and independent tribal governments being incorporated into the fabric of our nation, of Indian tribes becoming what our courts have come to refer to as quasi-sovereign domestic dependent nations. Over the years the relationship has flourished, grown, and evolved into a vibrant partnership in which over 500 tribal governments stand shoulder to shoulder with the other governmental units that form our Republic. This is now a relationship in which tribal governments may choose to assume the administration of numerous Federal programs pursuant to the 1975 Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act. This is a partnership in which an Office of Self-Governance has been established in the Department of the Interior and given the responsibility of working with tribes to craft creative ways of transferring decision-making powers over tribal government functions from the Department to tribal governments.…”