Final answer:
Arizona's American Indian tribes resemble separate nations through their own governments and laws, land and water management, education provision, and independence from one another, though they do not have their own military forces.
Step-by-step explanation:
The characteristics that demonstrate how Arizona's American Indian tribes resemble separate nations include:
- Each tribe has its own government and laws.
- Each tribe manages its own land and water.
- Each tribe provides education to its students.
- Each tribe is independent from one another.
However, the option suggesting that each tribe is defended by its own military is not applicable since defense is generally the responsibility of the federal government. Tribes maintain sovereignty and operate with a certain level of autonomy, managing internal affairs through their specific government structures which often mirror those of U.S state and federal governments, signifying a separation of powers.
This tribal sovereignty is upheld by the U.S Constitution, allowing Native American tribes to pass their own legislation, tax, and uphold their own judicial systems, though intertribal conflicts over resources and land have occurred due to displacement and forced relocations throughout history. Moreover, federal legislation such as the Indian Civil Rights Act of 1968 and the Indian Self-Determination Act of 1975 recognized and reinforced the autonomy and governance capabilities of tribal governments.
Despite their status as sovereign nations, Native American tribes still navigate complications due to their unique relationship with the federal government, which holds much of their land in trust, sometimes leading to issues like environmental damage without the approval of tribal governments. The collected power and representation desired by tribes for self-determination and sovereignty have frequently been countered by federal policies and actions.