NAICS 921150 Quarterly Industry Report
American Indian and Alaska Native Tribal Governments
Comprehensive industry research for valuation professionals, business owners, buyers, and lenders
NAICS Code: 921150Sector: Public Administration (92)Updated: Q1 2026
About This Report
This industry profile for American Indian and Alaska Native Tribal Governments (NAICS 921150) uses data from the Bureau of Indian Affairs[1], Bureau of Labor Statistics[2], and the SBA[3]. Fair Market Value researchers analyze tribal governance structures, employment data, and revenue sources specific to NAICS 921150 tribal establishments. Additional data is drawn from U.S. Census Bureau[4].. Quarterly updates reflect changes in federal recognition, self-governance compacts, and tribal workforce trends across the 574 federally recognized tribes.
Industry Definition & Overview
American Indian and Alaska Native Tribal Governments (NAICS 921150) encompasses government establishments serving as tribal leadership for federally recognized tribes. This classification covers tribal councils, tribal presidents' and chairpersons' offices, and other governing bodies that exercise sovereign authority over tribal lands and members. As of 2024, the United States recognizes 574 tribal entities, each with its own governance structure. The Bureau of Indian Affairs[1] maintains the official list of federally recognized tribes eligible for government-to-government relations with the United States. Tribal governments perform many of the same functions as state and local governments, including law enforcement, court systems, taxation, and social services. Governance structures vary widely; some tribes operate under constitutions modeled after the federal system, while others follow traditional forms of leadership. Tribal employment is substantial, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics[2] reporting that 45 percent of 2,800 tribal establishments fell in the government sector as of the fourth quarter of 2023. Additionally, tribal governments manage reservation lands ranging from a few acres to the 27,000-square-mile Navajo Nation. Revenue sources include federal grants, taxation, gaming operations, natural resource royalties, and enterprise income. Self-governance compacts with the federal government allow many tribes to administer programs previously run by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, giving tribal leadership direct control over healthcare, education, and infrastructure spending.
What's Included in This Industry
- Tribal councils and governing bodies of federally recognized tribes
- Tribal presidents' and chairpersons' offices
- Tribal executive committees and leadership offices
- Alaska Native village councils and traditional councils
- Tribal administrative offices managing government operations
- Tribal legislative bodies passing resolutions and ordinances
- Inter-tribal governance organizations and consortiums
- Tribal constitutional offices and secretaries
- Pueblo governors' offices and traditional leadership structures
- Tribal government advisory committees and boards
NAICS Classification Hierarchy
| Level | Description | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Sector | Public Administration | 92 |
| Subsector | Executive, Legislative, and Other General Government Support | 921 |
| Industry Group | Executive, Legislative, and Other General Government Support | 9211 |
| NAICS Industry | American Indian and Alaska Native Tribal Governments | 92115 |
| National Industry | American Indian and Alaska Native Tribal Governments | 921150 |
Related NAICS Codes
| Code | Description | Relationship |
|---|---|---|
| 921110 | Executive Offices | Federal, state, and local executive offices that interact with tribal governments through government-to-government consultation processes and treaty obligations |
| 921120 | Legislative Bodies | Federal and state legislative bodies that pass laws affecting tribal sovereignty, funding, and regulatory authority over Indian Country |
| 921140 | Executive and Legislative Offices, Combined | Combined executive-legislative offices in non-tribal governments that share structural similarities with many tribal council governance models |
| 921190 | Other General Government Support | General government support offices providing administrative services similar to those tribal governments deliver to their own member populations |
| 922110 | Courts | Tribal and non-tribal court systems that handle jurisdictional questions arising from overlapping tribal, federal, and state legal authority |
| 923130 | Administration of Human Resource Programs (except Education, Public Health, and Veterans' Affairs Programs) | Human resource program administration offices that coordinate with tribal governments on social services, child welfare, and workforce development |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this industry.
What establishments are classified under NAICS 921150?
NAICS 921150 covers tribal leadership establishments for federally recognized American Indian and Alaska Native tribes, including tribal councils, chairpersons' offices, and executive committees. The Bureau of Indian Affairs[7] maintains the official list of 574 federally recognized tribal entities eligible for this classification.
How are tribal government structures organized?
Tribal government structures vary widely across the 574 recognized tribes. Some operate under written constitutions with separated executive, legislative, and judicial branches. Others follow traditional governance models with hereditary or clan-based leadership. Many tribes adopted constitutions under the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934, creating elected council systems.
Does the SBA set a size standard for NAICS 921150?
No. The SBA[8] does not establish size standards for Sector 92 codes because they cover government entities. Tribally owned businesses and private firms on tribal lands use their respective private-sector NAICS codes for SBA program eligibility.
What NAICS codes are closely related to 921150?
Related codes include 921110 (Executive Offices), 921120 (Legislative Bodies), 921140 (Combined Offices), 922110 (Courts), and 923130 (Human Resource Programs). The Census Bureau[9] places tribal governments within the general government support subsector alongside other governance codes.
What private-sector industries commonly work with tribal governments?
Federal Indian law firms (NAICS 541110), management consultants (NAICS 541611), engineering firms (NAICS 541330), and IT service providers (NAICS 541512) are among the most active private-sector partners. Construction companies, accounting firms, and environmental consultancies also frequently contract with tribal governments.
What activities are included under NAICS 921150?
Activities include governing tribal lands, managing tribal enrollment, passing tribal resolutions and ordinances, overseeing tribal departments, managing federal grants, and administering self-governance compacts. The Bureau of Indian Affairs[10] works with tribal governments on trust responsibilities, land management, and federal program administration.
Can tribally owned businesses qualify for SBA financing?
Where are tribal government establishments concentrated geographically?
Tribal governments are distributed across 36 states, with the highest concentrations in Alaska (229 tribes), Oklahoma, California, Arizona, and New Mexico. The Bureau of Labor Statistics[2] reported 2,800 tribal establishments nationwide as of the fourth quarter of 2023, spanning reservations, rancherias, pueblos, and Alaska Native villages.
Sources & References
Government datasets and editorial sources used in this report.
- [1]Bureau of Indian Affairs bia.gov
- [2]Bureau of Labor Statistics bls.gov
- [3]SBA sba.gov
- [4]U.S. Census Bureau census.gov
- [5]7(a) loan program sba.gov
- [6]504 loan program sba.gov
- [7]Bureau of Indian Affairs bia.gov
- [8]SBA sba.gov
- [9]Census Bureau census.gov
- [10]Bureau of Indian Affairs bia.gov
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