Tribal governments may no longer be exempt from being sued by
tribal members. Since the early 1800s, the U.S. government has
acknowledged that Indian nations have full legal rights to
manage their own affairs. This doctrine of tribal “sovereign
immunity” has prevented legal attacks on tribal governments and
shielded them from lawsuits brought by states, groups or
individuals. But the recent 9th Circuit Court decision that
sovereign immunity doesn't protect the Blackfeet Nation of
Montana has "far-reaching and grave implications for all of
Indian Country," said Steve Doherty, the tribe's lead attorney.