Intermountain and Northern Regions
Tribal
Government Relations
Tribal Relations exists to assist
line and staff officers in the Forest Service to:
- Fulfill the unique relationship
and obligation the United States Government has with federally
recognized Indian tribes
- Assist in the development and
implementation of Forest Service interests in establishing a
mutual and beneficial partnership with our American Indian
neighbors
- Provide opportunities for
partnership building with tribes to facilitate economic
development assistance through State & Private Programs
The goals of Tribal Relations are
to assist Forest Service Line and Staff officers:
- Maintain a governmental
relationship with federally acknowledged tribal governments
- Implement our programs and
activities honoring and fulfilling legally mandated trust
responsibilities on National Forest System lands
- Administer programs and
activities to address and be sensitive to traditional Indian
religious beliefs and practices
- Provide research, transfer or
technology, and technical assistance to tribal governments
Services Provided
The Tribal Government Staff
Assistant provides assistance in three primary areas:
- EDUCATION/TRAINING - Developing
and presenting training on Forest Service responsibility in the
federal and tribal relationship such as treaty workshops and in
protocol/consultation with Tribal Governments.
- RESEARCH - Assistance can be
provided in researching tribal claims or positions; historical
Indian claims or requests regarding National Forest lands; and
to better understand current issues and policies.
- TECHNICAL SUPPORT AND ADVISE -
Tribal relations Program Managers can help Line and Staff
Officers better understand current events and emerging issues;
and provide advice regarding official correspondence with
tribes, political relationships between tribal governments, in
drafting planning documents, and when creating MOU's or MOA's
with tribes.
Key Partners
- Tribal Governments
- Forest Supervisors
- District Rangers
- State Foresters
- Other Federal Agencies
Opportunities for National
Forests and Grasslands
National Forests are the primary
interface with federally acknowledged tribes. The following is a
brief list of opportunities which can develop by utilizing the
Tribal Relations Specialist.
- Broadening the knowledge of
Forest Service employees regarding the wide range of tribal
government interests
- Coordination of efforts to
address tribal government concern among affected Forest Service
programs
- Assessing priorities at the
National and Regional level and developing methods to address
them.
Program
Coordinator for ID, MT, NV, ND, UT
For further
assistance contact
Diana Yupe or Dale Kanen.
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