How do tribal governments construct their codes?
The codes are usually a combination of traditional law, village ordinances, state law and federal law. Although the American Indian tribes have used traditional law for centuries, it is difficult for them to codify the traditional law; so, ordinances and established, codified law is used. The codes are a combination of traditional and western law, and the tribal courts strive to arrive at outcomes that preserve the traditional values of their tribe, such as cultural preservation and community cohesiveness.
