Which group did the Supreme Court recognize as a "domestic dependent nation" in its rulings?

The Supreme Court recognized the Cherokee Nation as a "domestic dependent nation" in a series of rulings, particularly in the landmark case of Worcester v. Georgia in 1832. In this decision, Chief Justice John Marshall articulated the concept that while the Cherokee Nation had self-governance and sovereignty, it was still under the protection of the federal government. This classification acknowledged the unique status of Native American tribes, distinguishing them from states and recognizing their limited autonomy. This relationship implies that while they manage their own affairs, their sovereignty is constrained by their dependence on the United States government for certain protections and rights. This ruling was pivotal in shaping subsequent legal interpretations of Native American sovereignty.

The other groups mentioned, such as the Sioux Nation, the Iroquois Confederacy, and the Lakota Tribe, did not have similar legal recognition in the same context through the Supreme Court at that time, which is why they are not the correct answer.