Tribal Relations

The Forest Service recognizes American Indians, Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians as people with distinct cultures and traditional values. We strive to be in the top tier of federal land managing agencies in partnering appropriately and collaboratively with American Indian and Alaska Native Tribal governments and communities for mutually beneficial outcomes.

American Indians and Alaskan Natives have a unique legal and political relationship with the government of the United States. This relationship is defined by history, treaties, statutes, executive orders, policies, court decisions, and the US Constitution. Indigenous people live in every state and often near Forest Service administered lands. The relationships with Tribes that Forest Service personnel build, maintain, and enhance make a difference.

Forest Service policy in general states that the Forest Service will:

• Maintain a governmental relationship with federally recognized tribal governments;
• Implement our programs and activities honoring tribal rights and fulfill legally mandated trust responsibilities;
• Administer programs and activities to address and be sensitive to traditional relations beliefs and practices; and
• Provide research, transfer of technology, and technical assistance to Tribes.

Throughout the agency, line officers are responsible for cultivating and maintaining government-to-government relationships in compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, Executive Orders, and agency policy.