American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Practice Exam

What characterizes non-IRA tribes in the United States?

1. They organized under the 1934 Indian Reorganization Act

2. They did not organize under the 1934 Indian Reorganization Act

3. They were federally recognized in the 1800s

4. They have their own constitutions

The correct answer is: They did not organize under the 1934 Indian Reorganization Act

Non-IRA tribes are characterized by not having organized under the 1934 Indian Reorganization Act (IRA). The IRA was designed to reverse some of the damage caused by previous government policies, promoting tribal self-governance and helping tribes establish their own governments. However, many tribes chose not to adopt the IRA framework for various reasons, including concerns about federal control, the desire to maintain traditional governance structures, or the wish to avoid the implications of federal recognition and the conditions that came with it. By not organizing under the IRA, non-IRA tribes often retain their traditional governance systems and cultural practices, which may reflect a stronger emphasis on historical sovereignty and self-determination. This status allows them to operate outside of the federal framework set forth by the IRA, often leading to different relationships with the federal government and distinct forms of governance compared to IRA-organized tribes.