The Native American Liaison Program
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What does it mean when an Indian tribe is federally recognized? The term "federally recognized tribe" means an Indian or Alaska Native tribe, band, nation, pueblo, village or community that the Secretary of the Interior acknowledges as an Indian tribe pursuant to the Federally Recognized Indian List Act of 1994 (25 U.S.C. 479a). What are the federally recognized Indian tribes in the Northeast Region and where are they located? There are a total of 17 federally recognized Indian tribes in the Northeast Region, including:
To obtain addresses and phone numbers for the tribes in our region, please contact Northeast Region Native American Liaison D.J. Monette at this address:
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Northeast Regional Office 300 Westgate Center Drive Hadley, MA 01035 Tel. (413) 253-8662 Fax (413) 253-8456 What are our trust responsibilities to federally recognized Indian tribes? The United States has a unique legal relationship with Indian tribal governments as set forth in the constitution, treaties, statutes, executive orders and court decisions. Since the formation of the union, the United States has recognized Indian tribes as domestic dependent nations under its protection. The federal government has enacted numerous statutes and promulgated numerous regulations that establish and define a trust relationship with Indian tribes. Our nation has recognized the right of Indian tribes to self-government. As domestic dependent nations, Indian tribes exercise inherent sovereign powers over their members and territory. The United States continues to work with Indian tribes on a government-to-government basis to address issues concerning Indian tribal self-government, tribal trust resources and Indian tribal treaty and other rights. Due to the unique and distinctive political relationship that exists between the United States government and Indian governments, the Service maintains government-to-government relationships with Indian governments. The Service works directly with tribes and respect Native American values when planning and implementing programs. Where can I find a copy of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Native American Policy and the Northeast Region Native American Policy Implementation Plan? You can find a copy of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Native American Policy (National Policy Issuance #94-10, signed by former Director Mollie Beattie on June 28, 1994) at http://policy.fws.gov/npi94_10.html. If you would like to obtain a copy of the Northeast Region Native American Policy Implementation Plan, please contact Northeast Region Native American Liaison D.J. Monette at:
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Northeast Regional Office 300 Westgate Center Drive Hadley, MA 01035 Tel. (413) 253-8662 Fax (413) 253-8456 Where do I go to obtain eagle feathers? Only Native Americans may possess a bald or golden eagle, including its parts (feathers, feet, etc.). The distribution of bald and golden eagles and their parts to Native Americans is authorized by the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and regulations found in 50 CFR 22. Qualified (i.e., enrolled members of a federally-recognized tribe) Native Americans wishing to obtain bald or golden eagles or their parts must submit an application to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Regional Migratory Bird Permit Office. The completed application is sent to the National Eagle Repository and the order is filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Individual requests for whole eagles can take up to three and a half years before one becomes available, while a request for individual feathers may be obtained in just a few months. To find out more information about obtaining eagles you can contact the Regional Migratory Bird Permit Office (see below) or visit the Service Web site at http://permits.fws.gov/mbpermits/birdbasics.html.
Migratory Bird Permit Office P.O. Box 779 Hadley, MA 01035-0779 Tel. (413) 253-8643 Fax (413) 253-8424 Is there a local Service "point of contact" for the individual Native American tribes in our region for activities in the respective states? Yes! The list represents the Service personnel who are the respective Native American tribe’s "point of contact." The designated individual Service contact is familiar with the respective Tribe’s culture, political function and natural resource programs. To obtain a copy of the Service contacts please contact Northeast Region Native American Liaison D.J. Monette at this address:
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Northeast Regional Office 300 Westgate Center Drive Hadley, MA 01035 Tel. (413) 253-8662 Fax (413) 253-8456 |
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