Tribal Relations
Yaaw T'eiyi Herring Rock Dancers.
In recognition of Alaska Natives' aboriginal ties to the land, Congress passed laws, upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court, giving Alaska Tribes status as sovereign governments. Recognizing that Tribes share a desire to be stewards of the land, the Tongass is committed to integrating the cultural heritage and traditional indigenous knowledge of Alaska Natives into the forest's programs and processes.
The Tongass National Forest Tribal Government Relations program works with Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) corporations, and other tribal entities.
Forest Service staff and resource specialists provide information and assistance on
- Government-to-Government consultations relationships,
- Alaska Native rights, trust responsibilities, traditional beliefs and practices and the laws and policies affecting management of historical, cultural and traditional uses of national forest system lands.