Question

What are "reserved rights" in regard to the relationship between Native American people and the U.S. government?

Answer 1

Granted that the word "Indian" is ambiguous, not all native Americans are Native Americans, so nothing has been gained. The historical record uses the word "Indian" and tribal members call themselves "Indians," so why isn't it polite to do so ourselves?

Answer 2

Anyway the reserved right refers to the federal government's sole right to negotiate with sovereign nations. Which is why we pretend that Indian tribes are sovereign nations.