Interior Secretary Deb Haaland announced new steps earlier this month to fulfill the government’s responsibility to meaningful consult with American Indian and Alaska Native tribes, as well as a second policy for consultation with corporations founded under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act.
Haaland said tribes deserve a seat at the table before policies that impact them are made. This is to ensure tribes can engage at the highest levels of the federal government on issues that matter most to their people.
“From climate resilience to clean energy investments, the Biden-Harris Administration has made available unprecedented resources for Indian Country – but we can only maximize those investments by working directly with tribes,” she said.
Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs Bryan Newland said the updated policies and procedures would further the Department of the Interior’s work to protect and strengthen tribal sovereignty.
The announcement of Dec. 1 came during the 2022 White House Tribal Nations Summit, a gathering of the Biden-Harris Administration and tribal leaders to discuss ways the federal government can invest in and strengthen nation-to-nation relationships.
The updated consultations policy and procedures includes a requirement that Interior Department staff undergo training before participating in consultation with tribes. The department consulted with tribes and Alaska Native Corporations to get feedback from tribal leaders on the policies and procedures.
