The Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians has continued its government on its homelands since prior to the establishment of Spanish, Mexican, and American governments. Throughout Spanish enslavement in 1797 to the Mexican distribution of Ex-Mission lands in 1843, the ancestors constituting the Historical Indian Tribe were referred to as the Mission Indians of San Fernando, or Fernandeños.

The unceasing political authority of the Tribe derives from the will of the Fernandeño Tataviam people. Today, FTBMI is governed by two branches of government entrusted with the duties of defending the Constitution and the rights of the people.

The Administration Department is responsible for the day-to-day activities that tie together the many departments within the Fernandeño Tataviam Tribal Government and the many programs provided to its membership. The department manages the grants that fund various department projects, such as monthly community events and a newsletter that is distributed to all adult tribal citizens.

Through the direction of the Tribal President the Tribal Administrator is responsible for the daily operations of the Tribal office under the including supervision, personnel functions, submission of contracts/grants to funding agencies, grant administration, and interacting with the federal, state, local, and tribal governments. The Tribal Administrator also works closely with the Tribal Senate, committees, boards and tribal members.