The Indian Reorganization Act, which is also known as the "Wheeler-Howard Act," ends land allotment and "encourages" tribal self-government by replacing traditional forms of government with Western hierarchical systems. Native communities wanting federal recognition are forced to adopt constitutions following government guidelines, including membership based upon "blood" degree. In exchange, the federal government agrees to prohibit the further allotment of Native land, provide support for college tuition, and a range of other agreements.

Some Native communities see the act as beneficial, in particular with its clarity about tribal self-government (within a prescribed system), while others fight its separation from traditional governing forms.