The sovereignty enjoyed by Indian nations in the United States is inherent to the Indian tribes. This means that the Creator granted sovereignty to the tribes, not the federal government or the Congress. The federal government has acknowledged the inherent nature of tribal sovereignty in the U. S. Constitution. Today, tribal sovereignty is exercised by Indian nations in efforts to fulfill basic governmental obligations, including providing for the general welfare of its members, developing economies within its jurisdiction, and creating the governmental institutions by which local control and input are the foundation for tribal community prosperity.