# § 3601. Findings
The Congress finds and declares that—
**(1)** there is a government-to-government relationship between the United States and each Indian tribe;
**(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;
**(4)** Indian tribes possess the inherent authority to establish their own form of government, including tribal justice systems;
**(5)** tribal justice systems 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 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 and to the goals of this chapter;
**(8)** tribal justice systems 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 is essential to the accomplishment of the goals of this chapter.
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**Source Credit**: (Pub. L. 103–176, § 2, Dec. 3, 1993, 107 Stat. 2004.)
## Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
### Short Title
> “This Act [enacting this chapter] may be cited as the ‘Indian Tribal Justice Act’.”
, , , provided that: