Tribal Relations

Welcome to Tribal Relations Program site for the Stanislaus 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; and
• Provide research, transfer of technology, and technical assistance to Tribes.

The primary goal of the Tribal Relations Program on the Stanislaus National Forest is to maintain the relationships between the Forest Service and federally and non-federally recognized tribal governments, local Native American communities, and organizations.  The Stanislaus 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. 

An example of a successful partnership is the WaWakalu Hep Yo Campground on the Calaveras Ranger District. The Forest worked with tribes from both Calaveras and Tuolumne Counties to construct the campground in and around a pre-contact village. The name of the campground is Wild River, which is what the tribes called the place since time began. When you visit the campground today, you will see protected areas as well as traditional structures like an Umacha and a garden with important cultural plants.

For more information, contact Kathy Strain, Stanislaus National Forest Tribal Relations Program Manager at (209) 288-6302