California Association of

Tribal Governments

The California Association of Tribal Governments is an association of California Tribes, each a separate government involved in providing for the health, safety and welfare of its tribal members.  The powers that each tribe exerts is separate and independent from the federal and state government.  These powers are inherent powers of the individual tribe.

The very essence of tribal sovereignty is the ability to self-govern for the purpose of protecting the tribal government and its people.  This claim of sovereignty pre-dates  the establishment of the United States.

In order to protect, and to nurture the sovereignty California tribes have come together in CATG. In this way tribal leaders hope to keep open a dialogue between tribes themselves and between tribes and the State of California and the federal government.