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DEPARTMENTAL REGULATION |
Number: 1020-005 |
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SUBJECT: Native American Working Group |
DATE: October 3, 2008 |
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1. PURPOSE
The purpose of this regulation is to set forth the responsibilities of the Native American Working Group (NAWG) and to identify the methods by which the NAWG will operate.
2. SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS
This regulation supersedes Department Regulation No. 1020-005.
3. POLICY
It is the policy of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to improve opportunities for all rural Americans by providing for effective and efficient coordination of Federal agricultural and rural development including programs within each of the individual states, territories and Native American tribes and nations.
4. DEFINITION
"Native American" means a member
of any American Indian tribe, band, group, or nation, including Alaska Indians,
Aleuts, Eskimos, and Alaska Native villages of the
5. BACKGROUND
The Secretary established the NAWG on January 15, 1983, under the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs, Office of Public Affairs, through the establishment of Departmental Regulation (DR) 1312-1, which contained the NAWG’s responsibility and make-up.
DR 1312-1, was revised on January 10, 1992, by DR 1020-005, which established the meeting and reporting requirements. The Office of Native American Programs is the lead and has responsibilities to coordinate Departmental activities for Native Americans and Alaska Natives.
6. RESPONSIBILITIES
The NAWG shall provide such advice, support and other assistance to the Director of the Office of Native American Programs (Director) as may be required to ensure effective coordination and guidance among agencies for all USDA policies and programs regarding tribal relations. The NAWG may recommend to the Secretary through the Director, practices and methods for coordinating USDA activities of interest to Indian tribes.
7. OPERATIONS
a) The Director shall serve as the Chair of the NAWG. In addition, the Chair may establish such subgroups, as the Chair deems necessary to carry out the activities of the NAWG.
b) The NAWG shall consist of voting members, or their alternatives appointed by the appropriate agency administrator and non-voting ex-officio members.
8. RELEVANT AGENCIES
a) Each
agency shall appoint one voting member and may also appoint an alternative
member. The voting members or their alternates shall represent the following
agencies:
1) Office of the Secretary
·
Director of the Office of Native American
Programs, Chair
2) Natural Resources and Environment
·
·
Natural Resources Conservation Service
3) Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services
· Foreign Agricultural Service
· Farm Service Agency
·
Risk Management Agency
4) Rural Development
· Rural Business Service
· Rural Utilities Service
·
Rural Housing Service
5) Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services
· Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion
·
Food and Nutrition Service
6) Food Safety
·
Food Safety and Inspection Service
7) Research, Education, and Economics
· Agricultural Research Service
·
· Economic Research Service
·
National Agricultural Statistics Service
8) Marketing and Regulatory Programs
· Agricultural Marketing Service
· Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
· Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration
b) Each
of the following officers is encouraged to appoint a non-voting ex officio
member
1) General Counsel
2) Assistant Secretary for Administration
3) Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
4) Assistant Secretary for Congressional Relations
5) Chief Financial Officer
6) Chief Information Officer
7) Director, Office of Budget and Policy Analysis
8) Director, Office of Communications
9. VACANCIES
In the event of a vacancy, the alternative member, if any, shall assume the member’s duties until the affected agency listed above shall appoint a replacement senior-level official to serve as the principal voting member on the working group. A replacement shall be named within thirty (30) days of receiving notice of the vacancy.
10. ORGANIZATION
a) Chair
– Director of the Office of Native American Programs.
Duties: Chairs NAWG meetings and
serves as the official spokesperson for the NAWG; and provides leadership over NAWG
activities.
b) Vice
Chair – Appointed by the Chair.
Duties: In the absence of the
Chair, the Vice Chair assumes the duties and responsibilities of the Chair.
c) Voting
NAWG Members – Senior employees appointed from each agency listed in §8(a) above.
Duties: Participate in NAWG
meetings and sponsored activities; brief the NAWG on mission area/agency issues
and activities of relevance to the NAWG; other duties as assigned by the Chair.
d) Non-voting
NAWG Members – Members appointed from each office listed in §8(b) above.
Duties: Participate in NAWG
meetings and sponsored activities; offer advice when appropriate.
11. MEETING
The NAWG will meet at the call of the Chair as a group at least quarterly to address the objectives of the respective USDA activities involving tribal nations. A quorum, consisting of one-half plus one of the voting members, shall be required to transact business. Voting shall be by consensus. The Chair is authorized to meet with individual members of the NAWG as the Chair deems necessary. Other persons, agencies, or groups may be invited to attend specific meetings when the Chair deems it appropriate.
12. REPORTING
Before the end of each fiscal year, the NAWG will summarize its activities during the preceding year and will submit a report to the Secretary through the Director.
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