Tribal Relations

American Indians and Alaskan Natives have a unique legal and political relationship with the government of the United States. The context of this relationship is defined by history, treaties, statutes, executive orders, policies, court decisions, and the U.S. Constitution. Indigenous people live in every state in America, often near Forest Service administered lands. Building, maintaining and enhancing relationships between the Tribes and Forest Service personnel are critical for long term collaborative management goals across our public lands.

Among the 45 Tribes with interests in the Rocky Mountain Region, 21 are located within the Forest Service Rocky Mountain Regional boundary. The Regional Tribal Relations Program provides inter-regional consultation leadership for these and an additional 5 Indian tribes. The Tribes' ancient cultures, traditions, and knowledge help define the Forest Service Rocky Mountain Region and also assist the agency in making effective land and resource management decisions that conserve the environment for generations to come. State and Federal Tribal Relations personnel facilitate work on research projects, forest and project planning, wildlife management, watershed restoration, cultural resource management, Tribal access and use, subsistence, biomass utilization, renewable energy, and many more topics and issues.

Learn more about our National Tribal Relations program here. Continue reading to learn more abou the Rocky Mountain Region's Tribal Relations. View the Consultation Protocol here.

Helping Build Long-term Collaborative Partnerships with Tribes

The Tribal Relations Program supports meaningful consultation and mutually benefiting collaborations with Tribes across all program areas, on all Forest Service managed units. We are committed to increasing interactions and promoting opportunities to protect indigenous rights, traditional and cultural landscapes. We also provide technical assistance to line and staff officers who uphold our trust relationship and responsibilities with the First Americans, consistent with the Forest Service mission, goals and objectives, under federal law.

Forest Service Tribal Program Managers and Liaisons:

Regional Tribal Relations Program Manager:

Jon Vladimirtsev, 307-713-3000, email: jon.vladimirtsev@usda.gov

Regional Heritage Resources Program Manager:

Molly Westby, Golden, Colorado, 303-275-5047, email: molly.westby@usda.gov

Region 2 Forest Service Tribal Liaisons:

Colorado:

Arapaho-Roosevelt NF’s and Pawnee NG’s: Sue Struthers, sue.struthers@usda.gov
Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison NF’s: Corey Wong, corey.wong@usda.gov
Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison NF’s: Jeremy Karchut, jeremy.m.karchut@usda.gov
Pike San Isabel NF, Cimarron and Comanche NG’s: Amanda Sanchez, amanda.sanchez@usda.gov
Rio Grande NF: Angie M Krall, angie.krall@usda.gov
San Juan NF: Julie A. Coleman, julie.coleman@usda.gov
White River NF: Tom Fuller, thomas.l.fuller@usda.gov
Nebraska NF: Dan Svingen, dan.svingen@usda.gov

South Dakota:

Black Hills NF: Michael R. Hilton, michael.hilton@usda.gov

Wyoming:

Bighorn NF: Dave McKee, dave.mckee@usda.gov
Medicine Bow/Routt NF’s and Thunder Basin NG: Kolleen M. Kralick, kolleen.kralick@usda.gov
Shoshone NF: Kyle D Wright, kyle.d.wright@usda.gov

American Indian State Coordinators:

Colorado Commission of Indian Affairs
Office of the Lt. Governor
130 State Capitol
Denver, CO 80203
https://www.colorado.gov/ccia

Kansas Native American Affairs Office
Landon State Office Building
900 SW Jackson, Suite 101A
Topeka, KS 66612-20
http://www.knaa.ks.gov/

Nebraska Commission on Indian Affairs
Nebraska State Capitol Building
1445 K St
6th Floor, East
Lincoln, NE, 68509
http://www.indianaffairs.state.ne.us/

South Dakota State Department of Tribal Relations
302 East Dakota
Pierre, SD 57501
http://sdtribalrelations.com/

This relationship exists to assist the United States Forest Service officials to:

Fulfill the unique relationship and obligation the United States Government has with federally recognized Indian tribes
Assist in the development and implementation of Forest Service interests in establishing a mutual and beneficial partnership with our American Indian neighbors
Provide opportunities for partnership building with tribes to facilitate economic development assistance through State & Private Programs

The goals of this relationship are to:

Maintain a working relationship with federally acknowledged tribal governments
Implement programs and activities honoring and fulfilling legally mandated trust responsibilities in National Forest System lands
Administer programs and activities to address and be sensitive to traditional Indian religious beliefs and practices
Provide research, transfer of technology and technical assistance to tribal governments

Three Primary Areas for Accomplishment:

Education / Training – Developing and presenting training on Forest Service responsibility in the federal and tribal relationship such as treaty workshops and in protocol/consultation with Tribal Governments.
Research – Assistance can be provided in researching tribal claims or positions; historical Indian claims or requests regarding National Forest lands; and to better understand current issues and policies.
Technical Support and Advise – Tribal Relations Program Managers can help Line and Staff Officers better understand current events and emerging issues; provide advice regarding official correspondence with tribes and political relationships between tribal governments; in drafting planning documents; and assist when creating Memorandums of Understanding or Memorandums of Agreement with tribes.