American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Practice Exam

What term is used for Native American tribes that are not recognized under the Indian Reorganization Act?

1. Recognized by the Department of the Interior but without tribal lands

2. Not recognized by the Department of the Interior

3. Regulated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs

4. Did not organize under the 1934 Reorganization Act

The correct answer is: Did not organize under the 1934 Reorganization Act

The term "did not organize under the 1934 Reorganization Act" refers specifically to Native American tribes that chose not to adopt the governance structures established by the Indian Reorganization Act (IRA) of 1934. This Act was designed to reverse the assimilation policies imposed by previous legislation and to restore self-governance to tribes. However, some tribes opted out of this process, leading to their current status of being unrecognized federally. The IRA provided a means for tribes to organize and gain federal recognition, but not all tribes accepted this opportunity for various reasons, such as dissatisfaction with the governmental structure proposed, fear of losing traditional ways of life, or a preference for maintaining their own traditional forms of governance. As a result, tribes that did not organize under the IRA are classified distinctly in relation to their recognition and governance status. In contrast, the other options present alternative scenarios. Some tribes may be recognized by the Department of the Interior but still lack formal tribal lands or have sought a different relationship with the government, while others may not have any federal recognition at all. The Bureau of Indian Affairs does regulate many aspects of tribal governance and recognition, but this does not apply to those who consciously did not participate in the reorganization effort of the