Tribes existed as nations long before the creation of the United States. Tribal sovereignty is recognized in the U.S. Constitution, in treaties with the United States, and in acts of Congress. This sovereignty means that each tribe has the right to govern itself and interact on a government-to-government basis with local, county, state, and federal units of government.

The SMSC was federally recognized as a sovereign nation in 1969. As a sovereign nation, the SMSC government is responsible for providing for the well-being of the SMSC members with infrastructure such as roads and sewers, housing, and more.