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Tribal Relations

 

 

Highlights

 

Updates

 

Annual Report on Tribal Co-Stewardship Now Available

At the White House Tribal Nations Summit, USDA joins with leaders from across the federal government to reaffirm a shared commitment to honoring the federal government’s treaty and trust responsibilities to protect Tribal sovereignty and revitalize Tribal communities. The Forest Service is highlighting important advancements in nation-to-nation relationships with Tribes, including 120 co-stewardship agreements and more than $68 million in investments in Tribal communities. The Forest Service is advancing co-stewardship of Tribal ancestral lands and engaging Tribes early and meaningfully in the decision-making process. Read the USDA Report on Joint Secretarial Order 3403 (PDF, 948 KB).

News release: At White House Tribal Nations Summit, USDA Fulfills Long-Standing Tribal Requests to Strengthen Food Sovereignty and Expand Indigenous Roles in Forest Management

Proposed National Policies: Tribal Relations Directives

The notification of the opportunity to consult was distributed to Tribal and Corporation leaders on July 31, 2023. The agency requests input on the Tribal Relations directives throughout the duration of the revision process. The target publication date is November 2024. 
The Forest Service Office of Tribal Relations will host multiple opportunities for collaboration and consultation throughout the revision process to incorporate Tribal government and Alaska Native
corporation perspectives. 

For more information, please visit the National Consultation Schedule.

 

  • Consultation Schedule

    A group of people wearing masks sit at a table under a picnic pavilion.

    The Forest Service consults with Tribal Nations on policies that may affect Tribes. Office of Tribal Relations maintains a schedule for national-level consultation.

  • Collaboration and Co-Stewardship

    Purple flowers are in focus in the foreground. The background is slightly blurry with a group of people in a circle with their backs to the camera.

    Forest Service strives to increase benefit for Tribes from Agency programs. The Agency also benefits from Tribal input, especially  Indigenous knowledge. 

  • Sacred Sites Protection

    Scenic landscape photo with green shrubs in the foreground and a mountain in the background.

    Federal land managing agencies hold in public trust a great diversity of landscapes and sites, including many culturally important sites held sacred by Tribal Nations. 

     

  • Natural and Cultural Resources

    Close up of logs that are part of a traditional Santa Clara Pueblo home.

    Forest Service guide for reburials of human remains and cultural items, temporary closure and forest products for traditional and cultural use, and prohibition on information disclosure.

  • Research and Development

    A hand holds a small piece of monitoring equipment in front of pine seedlings.

    The Forest Service Research and Development Tribal Engagement Roadmap aims Tribal Nations to guide development of ethical and significant research partnerships with Tribal Nations.

     

  • Climate Change Adaptation

    A man wearing fire gear leans on his shovel in front of a low intensity fire.

    The Dibaginjigaadeg Anishinaabe Ezhitwaad: A Tribal Climate Adaptation Menu is an extensive collection of climate change adaptation actions for natural resource management.

https://www.fs.usda.gov/working-with-us/tribal-relations