Tribal agreements are not, he states, an act of generosity toward a "disadvantaged people" and cannot be discontinued: "on a unilateral basis whenever [the federal government] sees fit." He says that these relationships rest on "solemn obligations;" that is to say, on "written treaties and through formal and informal agreements" (Kunitz, 1996).

This policy results in the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act, which will be passed in 1975, and the Indian Health Care Improvement Act, which will be passed the following year.