---
kind: "section"
citation: "25 U.S.C. § 3601"
title: "25"
title_heading: "Indians"
number: "3601"
heading: "Findings"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/25/3601"
units:
  - "Chapter 38 — Indian Tribal Justice Support"
---

# §3601. Findings


The Congress finds and declares that—

- (1) there is a government-to-government relationship between the United States and each [Indian tribe](/usc/25/3602.md?p=3);
- (2) the United States has a trust responsibility to each tribal government that includes the protection of the sovereignty of each tribal government;
- (3) Congress, through statutes, treaties, and the exercise of administrative authorities, has recognized the self-determination, self-reliance, and inherent sovereignty of [Indian tribes](/usc/25/3602.md?p=3);
- (4) [Indian tribes](/usc/25/3602.md?p=3) possess the inherent authority to establish their own form of government, including [tribal justice systems](/usc/25/3602.md?p=8);
- (5) [tribal justice systems](/usc/25/3602.md?p=8) are an essential part of tribal governments and serve as important forums for ensuring public health and safety and the political integrity of tribal governments;
- (6) Congress and the Federal courts have repeatedly recognized [tribal justice systems](/usc/25/3602.md?p=8) as the appropriate forums for the adjudication of disputes affecting personal and property rights;
- (7) traditional tribal justice practices are essential to the maintenance of the culture and identity of [Indian tribes](/usc/25/3602.md?p=3) and to the goals of this chapter;
- (8) [tribal justice systems](/usc/25/3602.md?p=8) are inadequately funded, and the lack of adequate funding impairs their operation; and
- (9) tribal government involvement in and commitment to improving [tribal justice systems](/usc/25/3602.md?p=8) is essential to the accomplishment of the goals of this chapter.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 103–176, § 2, Dec. 3, 1993, 107 Stat. 2004.)

## Notes

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Short Title

Pub. L. 103–176, § 1, Dec. 3, 1993, 107 Stat. 2004, provided that: “This Act [enacting this chapter] may be cited as the ‘Indian Tribal Justice Act’.”