Final answer:
The Supreme Court ruled that Indian tribes were considered "domestic dependent nations," meaning they were separate groups with their own governments but under the authority of the United States.
Step-by-step explanation:
In 1831, the Supreme Court ruled that Indian tribes were referred to as "domestic dependent nations." This meant that they were separate groups of people with their own governments and territories, but they were still under the authority of the United States government. Tribal nations were not considered as independent nations with the same rights as other foreign nations.
Learn more about Indian tribes and their legal status in the United States