States in the Northwest region include Washington and Oregon. This region is rich in natural resources such as redwood forests, scenic mountains, and the Pacific Ocean. Many tribes in this region are subject to PL 280 and must navigate jurisdictional collaborations with local state and counties in the administration of criminal justice.

This region includes tribes within the states of Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, and Nevada. The states in this region contain diverse landscapes including mountain, rivers, forests, plains, and deserts. Tribes in this region often experience justice system challenges related to limited resources, remoteness, and weather patterns. The tribes in this region are diverse in terms of culture, history, and in justice system approaches.

States in the Southwest region include Arizona and New Mexico. This region includes deserts, high deserts lands, and pine forests. This region contains a diverse range of tribes from border tribes to pueblos and many of the tribes in this region had a history of interaction with Spanish settlers and colonialists. Tribes in this region are diverse in their justice system responses.

This region contains Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio. The landscapes in this region are characterized by lakes, large bodies of water, and agrarian land. Some of the tribes in this region are subject to PL 280, and engage in cross-jurisdictional collaborations to address justice system needs. The tribes in this region are diverse and include tribes historically from this region, as well as others that were relocated from the Northeast and other regions. 

The states in this region include North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas Oklahoma, and Texas. This region is dominated by rolling plains, and contains some mountains, dry lands, wetlands, and border regions. The tribes in this region are a mixture of plains tribes, as well as tribes that were moved to this region during forced relocation. Many tribes in this region face challenges with remoteness, and access to resources. Tribes in Oklahoma also face unique jurisdictional challenges due to checkerboard allotments that often require extensive cross-jurisdictional collaborations. 

This region contains Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky, West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Florida. The landscapes in this region are characterized by fertile wetlands, mountains regions, coastal lands, swamps, gulf waters and the Atlantic coastline. Though historically there were many tribes in this region, due to relocation, many Southeastern tribes were forced west. In addition to federally recognized tribes this region contains several tribes that have state or local recognition and some that are seeking federal recognition. 

The states in this region include Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland. This region is filled with forests, hills, agrarian landscapes, and Atlantic coastline. In addition to the rich natural resources, this region is also characterized by numerous urban settings. Though historically there were many tribes in this region, due to relocation, many Northeastern tribes were forced west. In addition to the tribal nations residing in this region, the Northeast also holds the highest urban Native population in the country. 

Comprises Alaska and Hawaii. Alaska has the largest number of tribes of any state with 231 Native Alaskan tribal entities and Alaskan Natives comprise rough 18% of the state’s population. Native Alaskan tribes experience unique challenges in the administration of justice due to jurisdictional complications, geography, terrain, and seasonal changes. While Hawaii has a large Native Hawaiian population, there are currently no federally recognized tribes in the state.