Current Tribal Consultations & Listening Sessions
Process of Negotiating and Reviewing Indian Water Rights Settlements and Potential Improvements to the Process
Dear Tribal Leader Letter - October 3, 2016 - PDF
International Repatriation
Dear Tribal Leaders Letter: Additional Consultations - November 23, 2016
Dear Tribal Leaders Letter: Consultation on International Repatriation - August 26, 2016
Summary of Consultation during Tribal Nations Conference - September 27, 2016
Deadline for written comments: December 16, 2016, please address comments to: intlrepatriation@ios.doi.gov
Consultation Schedule:
Monday, December 12, 2016, at the National Indian Training Center, Albuquerque, NM
How Federal decision making on infrastructure projects can better allow for timely and meaningful tribal input
Dear Tribal Leader Letter, Consultation Schedule - September 23, 2016
Negotiating and Reviewing Indian Water Rights Settlement and Potential Improvements to the Process
Dear Tribal Leader Letter - Consultation Schedule - September 9, 2016 - PDF
BIA Consultation on the New Contract Support Costs (CSC) Policy
Dear Tribal Leader Letter - BIA Consultations on the News Contract Support Costs Policy - March 22, 2016 - PDF
Draft Contract Support Costs Policy - PDF
Comments From Tribes and Organizations:
- Absentee Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma
- Ak-Chin Indian Community of the Maricopa Indian Reservation
- Cher-Ae Heights Indian Community of the Trinidad Rancheria
- Chugachmiut Tribal Organization
- Citizen Potowatomi Nation
- Inupiat Indian Community of the Arctic Slope
- Jamestown S'Klallam
- Little River Band of Ottawa Indians
- Nez Perce Tribe
- Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe
- Pueblo of Laguna
- Rincon Band of Luiseno Indians
- Samish Indian Nation
- Self-Governance Advisory Committee
- Susanville Indian Rancheria
- United South and Eastern Tribes
- Ysleta del Sur Pueblo
- Yurok Tribe
Indian Trust Asset Reform Act
- Dear Tribal Leader Letter - Consultation and Listening Sessions Schedule - July 13, 2016 - PDF
- Federal Register, Consultation and Listening Sessions - July 20, 2016
- Federal Register, Corrections to July 20th FR - August 3, 2016 - PDF
$10 million P.L. 280 Funding Plan
Dear Tribal Leader Consultation Sessions on P.L. 280 States - March 15, 2016 - PDF
Proposal to update the Rights-of-Way Regulation (25 CFR 169)
- WEBINAR - Public Right of Way - February 29, 2015, MP4 - 149 mb
- Listening Sessions during NCAI Executive Winter Session in Washington DC.
- Dear Tribal Leader Letter - February 12, 2106 PDF
- DRAFT - Indian Affairs Manual (IAM) Contract Support Costs - PDF
Listening Session on Expanding Broadband Deployment and Adoption
Dear Tribal Leader - October 26, 2015
U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH)
Dear Tribal Leaders Letter - Listening Session regarding homelessness among Native Americans - June 12, 2015
American Indian Education Study Group
The American Indian Education Study Group was charged with finding solutions to the challenges faced by our Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) schools.
- 2015 Schedule of Consultations - March 20, 2015
- Study Group Report Draft - April 17, 2014
- Dear Tribal Leader Letter - March 28, 2014 - pdf
- Federal Register Notice - March 27, 2014 - pdf
- BIE Transformation Plan - Power Point - 433 kb
For More Information:
BIE's Indian Education Study Group Page
Proposed Changes to the Tribal Transportation Program
- Dear Tribal Leader Letter on Consultation Sessions - December 11, 2014
- Proposed Rule Changes - December 11, 2014
- For Additional Information: http://bia.gov/WhoWeAre/AS-IA/ORM/TTP/index.htm
Proposed Changes for Indian Sacred Sites on Federal Lands
- Dear Tribal Leaders Letter on 2015 Listening Sessions by Teleconferences - May 08, 2015
- Proposed Course of Action Regarding Training on the Protection of Indian Sacred Sites - July 2014
- Draft Information Paper - September 17, 2014
- Draft Policy Statement on Confidentiality of Indian Sacred Sites
- Letter on Consultation Session in conjunction with White House / Tribal Leaders Conference - November 4, 2013
- Dear Tribal Leaders Letter - July 27, 2012
- Federal Register Notice on Listening Sessions - July 27, 2012
- Federal Register Notice on Listening Sessions - September 11, 2012
Proposed Revision of Regulations Regarding Funding to Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities.
- Dear Tribal Leader Letter - Extension of Comment Period - October 2, 2014
- Dear Tribal Leader Letter- September 15, 2014
- Federal Register Notice - September 15, 2014
Proposed establishment of an Oil and Gas Service Center
Service Center Concept Paper - July 2014
Proposal to update the Right-of-Way Regulations (25 CFR 169)
New Comment deadline: November 3, 2014
New Consultation session: October 27, 2014, 6:16-8pm, Hyatt Regency Atlanta (before NCAI Convention)
- Dear Tribal Leader Letter on Consultation Sessions - July 9, 2014
- Dear Tribal Leader Letter on Consultation Sessions - July 3, 2014
For additional information go to: Office of Regulatory Affairs/Rights-of-Way (25 CFR 169)
Proposal to update the Secretarial Elections Regulation (25 CFR 81)
Comment deadline: December 17, 2014
Consultation Sessions:
- Dear Tribal Leader Letter on Consultation Sessions - October 15, 2014
For additional information: http://www.bia.gov/WhoWeAre/AS-IA/ORM/index.htm
Revisions to Regulations on Federal Acknowledgment of Indian Tribes (25 CFR 83 or "Part 83")
- Federal Register Notice on Procedures for Establishing that an American Indian group exists as an Indian tribe. June 27, 2013
- Tribal Leader Letter - June 21, 2013
- Present Version - 25 CFR Part 83 Procedures for Establishing that an American Indian Group Exists as an Indian Tribe
- Red Lined Discussion Draft Version - 25 CFR Part 83 Procedures for Establishing that American Indian Group Exists as an Indian Tribe
- For more information about Proposed Revisions to 25 CFR 83 - Federal Acknowledgment
Please note that the deadline for providing comments on the Discussion Draft is September 25, 2013.
For additional information, including the recently published Proposed Rule, please visit the Office of Regulatory Affairs website.
Land Acquisitions in the State of Alaska
- This proposed rule would remove from Indian Affairs regulations the prohibition on taking land into trust in Alaska - April 30, 2014
- Dear Tribal Leader letter - April 30, 2014
- Federal Register Notice - April 30, 2014
Native Hawaiian Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM)
- Dear Tribal Leader Letter (ANPRM) - June 27, 2014
- Native Hawaiian ANPRM - June 16, 2014
- FAQs on Native Hawaiian ANPRM
Contract Support Costs (CSC) FY 2014 Consolidated Appropriations Act
- Transcript - Consultation Session, Prior Lake, MN, August, 6, 2014
- Transcript - Consultation Session, Oklahoma City, OK, July 31, 2014 - Full version - Abbreviated version
- Transcript - Consultation Session, Chandler, AZ, July 30, 2014 - Full version - Abbreviated version
- Transcript - Consultation Session, Washington, DC, March 11, 2014
- Transcript - Consultation Session, Arlington, VA, May, 6, 2014
- Transcript - Consultation Session, Anchorage, AK, June 8, 2014
- Transcript - Consultation Session, Reno, NV, June 25, 2013
6/25/2014 Tribal Leader Letter on Contract Support Cost Tribal Consultations
Agenda - BIA/IHS 2014 NCAI Consultation Session on Contract Support Costs - March 11, 2014
2/12/2014 Tribal Leader letter invitation to a consultation session on Tuesday March 11, 2014.
2/21/2014 Federal Register Notice of Tribal Consultation on Contract Support Costs
Public Law 102-477 Demonstration Project Financial Reporting Forms
Tribal Consultation Meeting
- Annual Financial Report Form & Instructions
- Narrative Report
- Statistical Report Form
- Statistical Report Form Instructions
- Functional Costs Categories
Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978 - Listening Sessions
- Dear Tribal Leader Letter - April 9, 2014
- Dear Tribal Leader Letter - February 21, 2014
- Power Point Presentation
- Comments NCAI Washington, DC Session (pending)
- Comments ICWA Conference, Ft. Lauderdale, FL Session (pending)
Strategic Plan 2014-2018
The Department of the Interior is in the process of revising its current Strategic Plan for fiscal years 2014-2018. The Plan is used as a road-map for the Department, and a means of communicating its goals and specific commitments to the public, stakeholders, and employees. To download the Tribal Leader letter and consultation schedule click here. Transcripts of Consultations:
- October 23, 2013 Transcript DOI Strategic Plan 2014-2018
- October 30, 2013 Transcript DOI Strategic Plan Trial Consultation Telephone Conference
Draft Rule to establish standards for Leasing and Fundraising at BIE-operated schools
- July 22, 2013 Tribal Leader Letter
- Draft Regulation 25 CFR Part 48, March 2013
- June 19, 2014 Tribal Leader Letter
Preparation of 2013 American Indian Population and Labor Force Report
- Federal Register Notice
- Alaska Federation of Natives Conference, Anchorage, AK, October 20, 2012 PowerPoint
- National Congress of American Indians, Sacramento, CA, October 24, 2012 PowerPoint
- Tribal Consultation Sheet for the Preparation of the 2013 Labor Force Report
Indian Affairs Administrative Organizational Streamlining
Tribal Consultation Meeting Minutes:
- April 26, 2012 - Tribal Consultation Meeting on Administrative Assessment, BIA & BIE Streamlining, Airway Heights, Washington
- April 27, 2012- Johnson O'Malley Student Count Update and Draft SF-424B Assurance Statements
- April 19, 2012- Tribal Consultation Meeting on Administrative Assessment, Fort McDowell, Arizona
- April 20, 2012 - Tribal Consultation Meeting, Fort McDowell Arizona
- April 12, 2012 - Volume 1, Miccosukee Resort and Gaming, Miami, Florida
- May 10, 2012 - Volume 2, Choctaw Casino Resort, Durant Oklahoma
- May 3, 2012 - Rapid City, South Dakota
- May 4, 2012 - Rapid City, South Dakota
- May 17, 2012 - Lincoln, California
- May 18, 2012 - Lincoln, California
- May 23, 2012 - Anchorage, Alaska
Additional Consultation Documents:
- Final Report: Examination, Evaluation, And Recommendation for Support Functions - March 2012
- Tribal Leader Letter, April 16, 2012 - Anchorage, AK Consultation Meeting Information
- Tribal Leader Letter - Administrative Organizational Assessment Report - March 6, 2012
- Tribal Leader Letter - Administrative Organizational Assessment Report Consultation Schedule - March 26 2012
- Executive Summary for Tribal Consultations - April/May 2012
- Assessment Study Recommendations - April/May 2012
- Tribal Consultations Agenda - April/May 2012
BIA Streamlining Tribal Consultations:
- BIA Tribal Consultations Agenda - April/May 2012
- BIA Tribal Consultations Briefing Document - April/May 2012
- Tribal Consultations Agenda - April/May 2012
BIE Streamlining Tribal Consultations:
- Summary Sheet for Assurances P.L. 100-297 Tribally Controlled School Grants
- Draft Assurances Focus Group Document
- Johnson-O'Malley Update on BIE Count Program Funding
- Tribal Consultations Agenda - April/May 2012
- BIA Tribal Consultations Agenda - April/May 2012
Bureau of Indian Education - U.S. Department of Education Memorandum of Understanding
- Tribal Letter, November 5, 2013 - BIE - U.S. Department of Education Consultation in conjunction with White House/Tribal Nations Conference
- Tribal Letter, April 16, 2012 - BIE-U.S. Department of Education MOU Consultation
- Memorandum of Understanding
- MOU-Appendix
Consultation Meeting Minutes
- Nashville, TN - May 18, 2012
- Flagstaff, Arizona - May 24, 2012
- Bloomington, Minnesota - May 31, 2012
- Lincoln, California - June 5, 2012
BIE Flexibility Waiver Request from Sections of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001
- Draft BIE ESEA Flexibility Request
- Dear Tribal Leader Letter dated June 12, 2012
- Updated Schedule of Tribal Consultations
- Summary of BIE ESEA Flexibility Waiver Request
- Presentation of BIE ESEA Flexibility Waiver Request
Buy Indian Act
- Federal Register Notice - Acquisition Regulations; Buy Indian Act; Procedures for Contracting - July 26, 2012
- Dear Tribal Leader Letter on consultation schedule, locations and dates - June 29, 2012
- Archived Material
Final Rule: Residential, Business, and Wind and Solar Resource Leases on Indian Land
Proposed Revisions to the Leasing Regulations to 25 CFR 162
Transcripts of Consultation Sessions:
- Tribal Leasing Consultation Session - Seattle, WA, January 10, 2012
- Tribal Leasing Consultation Session - Palm Springs, CA, January 12, 2012
- Tribal Leasing Consultation Session - Rapid City, SD, January 18, 2012
- Tribal Leaders Letter - November 28, 2011
- Proposed Rule - Federal Register
- Supplemental Proposed Residential, Business, and Wind and Solar Leasing Regulations
- Response to Comments Received During Tribal Consultation
- Leasing Comparison Chart Between Current Leasing Rule and Proposed Leasing Rule
- Frequently Asked Questions on Proposed Leasing Regulations
- Redlined Version of the Proposed Part 162 Leases and Permits
Draft Regulations that would Establish Subparts to 25 CFR 162 (Leases and Permits)
For review and input, draft regulations that would establish subparts to 25 CFR 162 (Leases and Permits) addressing residential leasing, business leasing, and wind and solar permitting and leasing.
Consultation Meeting Transcripts:
- Las Vegas, NV - March 17, 2011
- Minnesota - March 31, 2011
- Albuquerque, NM - April 6, 2011
- Tribal Leaders Letter
- Draft Leasing Regulations
- Preliminary Draft of Part 162 - Leases and Permits (Purpose, Definitions, and Scope)
Categorical Exclusion on National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
- Tribal Leader Letter - March 7, 2012
- Justification for Establishing a Categorical Exclusion for Scattered Single-Family Homesites
Draft Indian Affairs Manual (IAM), BIE Health and Wellness Policy for K-12 Schools
- Tribal Leaders Letter - April 7, 201
- IAM Health and Wellness in Bureau of Indian Education(BIE) Schools, K-12
- Appendix A - Health and Wellness Resources for Schools
DOI Revising and Streamlining the Current Strategic Plan for FYs' 2011 to 2016.
The Department of the Interior is in the process of revising and streamlining the current Strategic Plan for fiscal years 2011-2016. The Plan is used as a road-map for the Department, and a means of communication its goals and specific commitments to the public, stakeholders, and employees.
Click here to get the entire Tribal Leaders Letter and consultation schedule.
Review of the "Current Guidance and Regulatory Standards" for Taking Land Into Trust for Gaming Purposes
On July 18, 2010, Secretary Salazar issued a directive recommending a thorough review of the "current guidance and regulatory standards" used to make decisions for two-part determinations under Section 20(b)(1)(A) or IGRA, 25 U.S.C. 2719(b)(1)(A). In accordance with the Secretary's directive, and with keeping with Interior's commitment to government-to-government consultation, we are engaging tribal governments on: (1) the January 3, 2008 Memorandum regarding Guidance on Taking Off-reservation land into Trust for Gaming purposes; (2) the need to revise any of the provisions of 25 C.F.R. 292, Subpart A and Subpart C; and (3) whether the Department's process of requiring compliance with 25 C.F.R. Part 151comes before or after the two-part determination.
- Click here to get the entire Tribal Leaders Letter and consultation schedule.
- January 3, 2008 Memorandum
DOI Tribal Consultation Policy
- Signed Secretarial Order No. 3317 - Department of the Interior Policy on Consultation with Indian Tribes - December 1, 2011
- News Release - Secretary Salazar, Assistant Secretary Echo Hawk Launch Comprehensive Tribal Consultation Policy - December 1, 2011
- Draft Department of the Interior Policy on Consultation with Indian Tribes - January 14, 2011
- Secretary Salazar, Assistant Secretary Echo Hawk Submit Draft Consultation Policy to Tribal Leaders Press Release - January 14, 2011
In November 2009, the Department of the Interior announced efforts to develop its department-wide tribal consultation policy in accordance with the President's Executive Memorandum of November 5, 2009 implementing Executive Order 13175. Click on the links to download the following documents:
- The letter to tribal leaders dated November 23, 2009
- The news release dated November 25, 2009
Initial Consultation Sessions: December 2009 and January 2010
The Department held tribal consultation sessions in December 2009 and January 2010 on developing DOI's tribal consultation policy. For more information, click on the links to download the following documents:
The deadline for written comments was no later than January 15, 2010 by email to tribalconsultation@bia.gov or by postal service to the Office of the Assistant Secretary-Indian Affairs, U.S. Department of the Interior, 1849 C St., N.W., MS-4141-MIB, Washington, D.C. 20240.
Nominations for DOI Tribal Consultation Team Members
In March 2010, the Department requested nominations from the federally recognized tribes of tribal officials or delegates from each BIA region for the DOI Tribal Consultation Team. The Team will draft the Department's tribal consultation policy in accordance with its plan of actions to implement the President’s Executive Memorandum on Executive Order 13175. Click on the links to download the following documents:
- The letter to tribal leaders dated March 22, 2010.
- The DOI Plan to Develop a Tribal Consultation and Coordination Policy.
- The DOI Consultation Team Nomination Form.
The deadline for submitting nominations to the BIA Regional Directors was April 30, 2010. The nominations were to be sent to the BIA Regional Director appropriate to the submitting tribe at his or her Regional Office address.
Announcement of DOI Tribal Consultation Team Members
In a letter to tribal leaders dated August 19, 2010, the Department announced the members of the DOI Tribal Consultation Team. The Team is comprised of DOI officials and tribal representatives who will be involved in the process of drafting DOI's department-wide tribal consultation policy. Click on the link to download the following document:
- The letter to tribal leaders dated August 19, 2010.
- BIA Tribal Consultations Agenda - April / May 2012
Tribes participating under the Act are required to submit a single report of activities undertaken under approved 477 Plans. The current single reporting system includes an annual narrative, statistical, and financial report.