Tribal Relations
Welcome to Tribal Relations Program site for the San Bernardino National Forest. The Forest Service recognizes American Indians as people with distinct cultures and traditional values. American Indians 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 United States Constitution. 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
- Provide research, transfer of technology, and technical assistance to Tribes
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The primary goal of the Tribal Relations Program on the San Bernardino National Forest is to maintain the relationships between the Forest Service and tribal governments, and the local Native American communities, and organizations.
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The San Bernardino National Forest engages members of the local Native American community in a proactive program that facilitates mutual understanding of National Forest management. The Forest’s Tribal Relations Program Manager formally meets with Native American groups on a regular basis to discuss a wide range of issues, including traditional practices, Forest projects, management concerns, and archaeological investigations on the Forest.
For more information, contact the San Bernardino National Forest Tribal Relations Program Manager:
Send email to Uyen Doan or call (909)382-2658.
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.
Cultural resources on federal land are protected by laws including:
National Historic Preservation Act
Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act
Archaeological Resources Protection Act
Archaeological Resources Protection Act
It is Illegal to excavate, remove, damage, or otherwise deface any archaeological resource located on public or Indian lands. Damage to archaeological sites in excess of $500 is a felony punishable by up to $250,000 in fines and imprisonment for up to two years for the first offence. All materials, equipment, and vehicles used in the commission of such crimes are subject to forfeiture.
PDF version of Protection of Cultural Resources
Highlights
Indigenous Animals Grant
The Indigenous Animals Harvesting and Meat Processing Grant Program (IAG) is designed to support the priorities of Tribal Nations in meeting the needs of traditional harvesting methods and indigenous animals.
Safe Drinking Water on Tribal Lands
EPA Announces over $174 Million in Funding to Improve Drinking Water Infrastructure for American Indian Tribes and Alaska Native Villages.
Tribal Relations Action Plan
Strengthening Tribal Consultation and Nation-to-Nation Relationships.
Tribal Relations App
Tribal Relations app provides info to foster successful tribal relationships.
Grant restores beetle-plagued tribal forest
NEW YORK—The Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe used a $99,998 USDA Forest Service Great Lakes Restoration Initiative grant to remove emerald ash borer-plagued ash trees and replace them with a diverse selection of trees to restore a forest in upstate New York.
USDA Office of Tribal Relations
The Office of Tribal Relations (OTR) serves as a single point of contact for Tribal issues and works to ensure that relevant programs and policies are efficient, easy to understand, accessible, and developed in consultation with the American Indians and Alaska Native constituents they impact.
Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations
The Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) provides USDA Foods to income-eligible households living on Indian reservations and to Native American households residing in designated areas near reservations or in Oklahoma. USDA distributes both food and administrative funds to participating Indian Tribal Organizations and state agencies to operate FDPIR.