USGS Native American Tribal Liaison Team
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SISNAR Internship ProgramThe USGS initiated a small internship program in Fiscal Year 2006 for students to work in the summers. The name of the internship program, "Student Interns in Support of Native American Relations," explains its purpose—to build Tribal self-governing capacity by training future Tribal leaders. Through an internal competitive process, the USGS Native American Tribal Liaison team solicits proposals from USGS scientists and selects USGS projects based on the student engagement in science related to Tribes or Tribal lands. Awarded SISNAR funds allow for student interns to work on USGS projects. TrainingThe USGS provides technical training in geospatial information, hydrology, wildlife diseases, and other topics, depending on available needs and resources. The USGS, through the Federal Geographic Data Committee and its partners, conducts training sessions that introduce American Indian students to the uses of geospatial data and geographic information systems. The USGS has also developed and held a Tribal Relations Training course for its employees to facilitate positive interactions with Tribes. Additional information on training activities. Tribal College ForumThe Tribal College Forum was initially established by the USGS as a means of engaging Tribal colleges and universities in using GIS technologies. Given the remote locations of many Tribal communities, these digital tools can help tribes manage lands and resources. The Tribal College Forum provides a venue for federal agencies, tribal college faculty, private sector representatives, state, and other officials to share ways to use these tools to help train Native students for future careers that will benefit their communities, their tribes, and themselves. Representation of USGS on CommitteesWhite House Executive Working Group on Indian AffairsThe USGS was actively represented on the White House Executive Working Group on Indian Affairs. This group of political appointees and senior Native American program managers from throughout the federal government meets monthly to coordinate federal-tribal issues in sessions chaired by White House external affairs personnel. The USGS Native American Tribal Liaison for the Director's Office kept the group apprised of USGS-sponsored activities like the Tribal College Forum and our involvement in the Coast Salish Journey. The USGS iaison provided policy documents, media and other contacts, as part of the group's coordination efforts. The USGS liaison also participated in various task groups such as the one that developed nationally available tribal relations training. Other Federal EntitiesThe Native American Tribal Liaisons represent the USGS and communicate on behalf of the USGS to the following Federal entities:
Tribal and Related EntitiesThe Native American Tribal Liaisons represent the USGS and communicate on behalf of the USGS to the following Tribal and related entities:
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