Tribal governments and their members are an essential part of our nation’s emergency management team. Effective relationships with tribes are necessary to fulfill FEMA’s mission of working together to improve our nation’s disaster preparedness and response. FEMA is committed to supporting Indian Country in its efforts to build more resilient and better prepared communities.
Along with the need to ensure the safety of tribal communities and tribal lands in the face of disasters, FEMA shares the U.S. government’s unique nation to nation relationship with federally recognized tribes. FEMA acknowledges the sovereignty of federally recognized tribes and is committed to enhancing our working relationship with tribal governments to improve emergency and disaster responsiveness throughout Indian Country.
RECENT UPDATES
There's a new Tribal Mitigation Planning Handbook as a tool to help develop and implement mitigation plans. See more mitigation resources.
Disaster Declarations
On January 29, 2013, President Obama signed the Sandy Recovery Improvement Act of 2013, which amended the Stafford Act. The Act included a provision to provide federally recognized Indian tribal governments the option to request a Presidential emergency or major disaster declaration independent of a state.
Tribal governments may still choose to seek assistance, as they have historically, under a state declaration request. Below are some resources to help tribes understand the disaster declaration process, as well as the various disaster assistance programs they may receive.
Policies
The FEMA Tribal Policy establishes how FEMA operates with regard to tribal governments and outlines a framework for nation-to-nation relations with tribal governments that recognizes tribal sovereignty, self-governance, and FEMA’s trust responsibility that is consistent with applicable authorities.
The FEMA Tribal Consultation Policy guides how FEMA engages tribal governments in regular and meaningful consultation and collaboration on actions that have tribal implications.
Tools and Resources
Consultations
To acknowledge and honor the sovereignty of tribal nations, FEMA conducts regular and meaningful consultation and collaboration with tribal governments to ensure that FEMA policies and programs address tribal needs.
See Active and Past Consultations
Planning, Mitigation and Funding Assistance
Find resources for tribal governments related to individual and public assistance funding, hazard mitigation planning and preparedness.
See All Resources
Contacts
The National Tribal Affairs Advisor is the point of contact between the FEMA Administrator, FEMA’s Regional Tribal Liaisons, and tribal governments across the country. The Advisor is part of FEMA’s Intergovernmental Affairs Division, which leads all tribal relations and tribal consultation at FEMA. The FEMA National Tribal Affairs Advisor is:
Denise Bambi Kraus
(202) 212-7215
Bambi.Kraus@fema.dhs.gov
500 C Street SW
Washington, D.C. 20472
For any questions, technical assistance is available by contacting your Regional Tribal Liaison.