Region 7 Tribal Program

Partnerships with Federally Recognized Indian Tribal Governments
Partnerships with Regional Tribal Operations Committee
Partnerships with Federal Agencies
Partnership with Haskell Indian Nations University

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Partnerships with Federally Recognized Indian Tribal Governments

In 1984, EPA was the first federal agency to adopt a formal policy governing interactions with tribes.  EPA’s 1984 Indian Policy (PDF) (4 pp, 212K, About PDF) recognizes tribal governments as sovereign entities with primary authority and responsibility for the reservation populace.  EPA works directly with the tribes in a “government-to-government” relationship.  Before taking action that may impact tribal interests, EPA consults with the tribes.  Until such time as a tribe may develop and implement an environmental program, EPA retains the responsibility for direct implementation of such programs. 

The EPA Regional Administrator is the Administrator’s representative in the government-to-government discussions with tribes and at the Regional Tribal Operations Committee (RTOC).  The RTOC is the regional companion to the National Tribal Operations Committee, a national organization whose mission is to advance the protection and improve the conditions of tribal health and the environment in Indian country.

EPA provides grant funds, technical assistance, guidance, training, and educational outreach to tribes.  Multimedia grants for the development of air, land, and water environmental programs on Indian lands have been available since fiscal year 1991.  General Assistance Program (GAP) funds are available to assist the tribes in developing environmental programs. 

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Partnerships with the Regional Tribal Operations Committee

The Regional Tribal Operations Committee (RTOC) of Region 7 was formed in 1998 to serve critical functions in maintaining the government-to-government relationship between EPA and the federally-recognized tribes located within Region 7.

The purpose of the RTOC is to advance the protection and improve the conditions of tribal health and the environment in Indian country.  The RTOC serves as a liaison between the National Tribal Operations Committee (NTOC) , the tribal nations of Region 7, and EPA Region 7 personnel on national policy issues, and communicates environmental needs and concerns of the RTOC to the NTOC.

The RTOC maintains open and consistent communications with the Regional Administrator and EPA staff on matters of significance to the tribal nations of Region 7. The RTOC also assists EPA in implementing the EPA’s 1984 Indian Policy (PDF) (4 pp, 212K, About PDF)

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Federal Agencies

Listed below are links to some federal agencies that EPA Region 7 works with to protect human health and the environment within Region 7 Indian country.

• U.S. Department of Interior
• Bureau of Indian Affairs
• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
• Indian Health Service
• U.S. Department of Agriculture
• Natural Resources Conservation Service
• U.S. Geological Survey
• U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

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Partnership with Haskell Indian Nations University

Haskell Indian Nations University is a land grant institution located in Lawrence, Kansas. It serves members of federally-recognized American Indian and Alaska Native nations as authorized by Congress and in partial fulfillment of treaty and trust obligations. Haskell has an average enrollment of more than 1,000 students each semester from across the United States. Haskell continues to integrate American Indian/Alaska Native culture into all its curricula. A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was established between EPA Region 7 and Haskell Indian Nations University (Haskell) in 1999 to formalize and strengthen ties between EPA and Haskell. The MOA enhances the education and training of Haskell’s students and hopes to encourage environmental protection in university research and projects.

For more information about the Haskell MOA, please contact Naima Halim-Chestnut, EPA Region 7 Equal Employment Opportunity Officer, at (913) 551-7168. For information on jobs with EPA Region 7, visit the Region 7 Employment Web page. For student jobs information, please contact Keyshawn Lugrand, the EPA Region 7 Student Employment Coordinator, at (913) 551-7550.  Contact EPA Region 7 toll-free at (800) 223-0425 for information on summer student jobs.

EPA Region 7 Memorandum of Agreement with Haskell Indian Nations University (PDF) (4 pp, 261K, About PDF)
Haskell Indian Nations University
Employment Opportunities at EPA

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