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Tribal Relations

The history and principles of Tribal Relations are found in a wide range of treaties, federal statutes, regulations, Supreme Court decisions, policies, and Presidential Executive Orders (see below).  The relationship between the United States government and American Indian Tribal governments is unique, distinct, and is based upon the principles of sovereignty. Tribal sovereignty refers to the right of American Indians and Alaska Natives to govern themselves. This government-to-government relationship extends to all federal agencies which includes the Forest Service.

The vision of Mark Twain National Forest's Tribal Relations program is a diverse set of goals that centers around co-stewardship with Tribal governments and communities for mutually beneficial outcomes. There are many models of success for this type of collaboration across the country and it all begins with building relationships and developing trust. Tribal relations is in every program area and collaborates with tribes under different authorities, agreements and/or partnerships.

In addition to the Tribal Relations Program, the Forest Heritage Program has an established working relationship with Tribal Historic Preservation Officers (THPO). Together, the Forest Heritage Program and THPOs, have developed a National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) Section 106 Programmatic Agreement (PA) which creates a process for Tribes to have a strong voice in project management on the Forest.  For more information about this agreement, please contact Forest Heritage Program Manager Daniel Cain at (573) 341-7442 or daniel.cain@usda.gov

The Forest has worked closely with numerous Tribes in caring for the land.  Tribal members have assisted with the Forest’s Heritage Program requirements.  Volunteers from Tribes have worked on HistoriCorps projects on the Forest through AmeriCorps.  The Forest also sends employee representatives to Bridging the Gap (BTG), Tribal Homelands Working Group (THWG), National Association of the Trail of Tears and other gatherings each year to maintain active connections with Tribal partners. 

Another Tribal Relations activity that Mark Twain National Forest employees look forward to each year is visiting with the Remember the Removal Riders.  The Riders travel through the Forest as they follow the Trail of Tears on a journey of remembrance.  They usually stopping at the Potosi district office and the Rolla office along their way to meet and share a meal with Forest Service employees.

Land Acknowledgement

The Forest Service recognizes that land now under the management of Mark Twain National Forest was traditionally the homeland of numerous Tribes.  The Tribes were the original stewards of the land, the plants, the animals, and the waters here.  After settlers arrived and American Indians were forcibly made to leave their homelands, much of this land was set aside in public trust, including some as national forest system land.  The Forest Service commits to collaboration and to share information with Tribal partners to ensure that this public land is managed in a way that honors the Tribes’ strong and enduring connection to the forests and glades now managed as Mark Twain National Forest.   

Tribes connected with Missouri and Mark Twain National Forest

Present-day Tribal beneficiaries of Land Cession Treaties of Missouri to Mark Twain National Forest include (but are not necessarily limited to):

Tribal Connections Tool

The Forest Service Tribal Connections Viewer is an interactive map that shows Forest Service land, Tribal Land, and land areas that were historically ceded to the United States through treaties.  This tool can help inform project managers regarding land management decisions.  https://usfs.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=fe311f69cb1d43558227d73bc34f3a32

Other links to obtain information about Forest Service Tribal Relations:

Regulations and other guidance related to Tribal Relations

Last updated June 10th, 2025

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