domestic dependent nation

English

Etymology

Compound of domestic +‎ dependent +‎ nation. Coined in 1831, by Chief Justice John Marshall in the 1831 Supreme Court case Cherokee Nation v. Georgia.

Noun

domestic dependent nation (uncountable)

1. (US, politics, government) A term used to describe the relationship between the United States and Native American tribes. [from 1831]

   Synonym: automonus region

   • (Can we date this quote?), “General Principles of Federal Indian Law”, in University OF Alaska Fairbanks‎^[1]:

     Although tribes are recognized as having inherent sovereignty, they are recognized as being ‘domestic dependent nations.’

Usage notes

• According to this article, "Tribes are ‘domestic’ because they are within the boundaries of the United States. They are ‘dependent’ because they are subject to the power and responsibility of the federal government. They are ‘nations’ because they exercise sovereign powers over their people, property, and activities that affect them."