domestic dependent nation en · NOUN
Etymology
Compound of domestic + dependent + nation. Coined in 1831, by Chief Justice John Marshall in the 1831 Supreme Court case Cherokee Nation v. Georgia.
Meanings
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(US, uncountable) A term used to describe the relationship between the United States and Native American tribes. ▸ The group of people.
Although tribes are recognized as having inherent sovereignty, they are recognized as being ‘domestic dependent nations.’
(Can we date this quote?), “General Principles of Federal Indian Law”, in University OF Alaska Fairbanks:
- (US, uncountable) A term used to describe the relationship between the United States and Native American tribes. ▸ The territory belonging to the group of people.