Articles

What Is Tribal Consultation?

Tribes are nations that have the right to make decisions about how they govern and protect their people on tribal lands. This right is called “tribal sovereignty.” Tribal sovereignty isn’t a right that the federal government “gave” to tribes; it is something we have always possessed.

One way the federal government shows their support for tribal sovereignty is through tribal consultation. Tribal consultation is when federal agencies ask tribal governments for their input about federal policies that will directly impact them, from changes to plant gathering policies in national parks, to permitting oil pipelines on tribal land.

The importance of tribal consultation was first outlined in a 2000 Executive Order, that requested that all federal agencies consult with tribal governments on policies that impact tribal communities. The United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples also stresses the importance of governments consulting with Indigenous peoples.

Unfortunately, no federal law provides a step-by-step outline of what consultation should look like. This means that each federal agency has a different policy about how and when they should consult with tribes.

For example, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), which oversees Indian Health Service, requires that departmental staff consult with tribal governments if a policy:

  • impacts tribal communities,
  • affects the relationship between the federal government and tribes, or
  • impacts how power and responsibilities are distributed between the federal government and tribes.

Once HHS staff identify a policy that will require tribal consultation, they must identify all tribes who may be impacted by the policy and figure out the best way to consult with them, which could include teleconferences, in person meetings, or roundtables. HHS also holds an Annual Tribal Budget and Policy Consultation Session which gives all tribal governments the ability to provide feedback on new policies.

Tribal consultation is one important way that tribal governments provide feedback on federal policies. Because tribal consultation is an extension of the “government-to-government” relationship between the federal government and tribal governments, elected tribal leaders (or people appointed by elected tribal leaders) usually participate in these consultations. Even if you can’t directly participate in these sessions, you can learn when sessions are held. With this knowledge you can advocate to your tribal council and provide individual testimony on policies important to you. You also have the opportunity to encourage your leadership to participate in consultation sessions.

One helpful resource is the National Congress of American Indian’s Consultation Support Center. This website includes a list of all upcoming tribal consultation sessions, a list of federal agency-specific documents related to tribal consultation, and a calendar with which tribal consultations are occurring.

Here are a few more resources to learn more about tribal sovereignty, treaties, and tribal nation governance:

Author: Abaki Beck (Blackfeet and Red River Metis) is a freelance writer and public health researcher passionate about health equity in Native communities, particularly for justice-involved community members. She earned her Master’s in Public Health in 2020 and grew up in Montana.

Reclaiming Food Sovereignty

For centuries, Indigenous communities have been disconnected from their traditional food sources...

Colonial Languages Do Not Define My Identity

As a queer, 2-Spirit Indigenous person, I have definitely struggled with my...

Culture is Prevention

Using Culture to Cope with COVID

COVID has brought more than just physical illness to our communities. It’s...

Connecting to Our Land is Connecting to Our Culture

Our relationship with the land is a huge part of our culture...

BRAVE: Episode 2

The Land & Ancestral Wellness Wisdom

Much of our knowledge as Indigenous people comes from the land: our...

Environmental Racism and Seeking Environmental Justice

In the 1970s, the Grassy Narrows Reserve in Canada, home of the...

Aurora / Connection

Resiliency is in Our Blood

Resilience has become a bit of a buzzword in Native Country. A...

Indigenous People for Black Lives Matter

Today as I write this article the world is mourning Daunte Wright,...

#Indigilove Recap Video

Indigenous Feminism

Creating a world where people of all genders are respected and valued...

Healing the Land is Healing Us

Western colonial ways of thinking about health tend to focus on physical...

Defined by my Ancestors, Not Dead Presidents

Land Back: Because Colonialism Does Not Spark Joy

In the opening scenes of Rutherford Falls, a Native-inclusive TV series launched...

Racism and Anti-Racism

Racism impacts all aspects of our lives. It impacts what policies are...

Elder Teachings

Indigenous Futurism

What would the world look like if tribal supernatural entities ruled? How...

The Judicial Branch

Sometimes, an advocacy group, business, church, or even a group of individuals...

MMIWG (Murdered Missing Indigenous Women and Girls)

The Executive Branch

After a bill passes both the House of Representatives and the Senate,...

The Legislative Branch

The Legislative Branch of the U.S. federal government makes laws. The Legislative...

WRN Ambassadors

Represent We R Native

Advocacy in the Three Branches of Government

The United States federal government is divided into three branches: the Executive...

We Are More Than a Mascot

Native American mascots are one of the more controversial topics when it...

Indigikitchen

Re-indigenizing our diets

Native Cultural Appropriation

Cultural appropriation is when someone from the dominant culture (i.e. the most...

Who is Secretary Deb Haaland?

Deb Haaland is a member of the Pueblo of Laguna and has...

Powwow Sweat

Jingle Dress

Tips for Moving Beyond Blood Quantum

We know blood quantum, or “how much Native blood you have,” isn’t...

Blood Quantum Blues

“So… how much Native are you?” The dreaded question every Indigenous person...

My Culture

We R Quileute

Indigenizing Your Self-Care

Self-care means taking care of the whole self – physically, emotionally, mentally,...

Chickasaw Spaceman

John Herrington, born in Wetumka, Oklahoma, is an enrolled member of the...

The Medicine Game

Brothers Miles and Lyle Thompson-two of the top college lacrosse players of...

Indigenous Comic Books

Comics and cartoons have existed for centuries, but it wasn’t until the...

Reclaiming Our Stories Through Media and Film

As Indigenous people, we know that storytelling is a powerful teaching tool....

Sequoia Dance

I Am Native. Sequoia Lynn Dance (Shoshone-Bannock Tribes, age 17) This is...

Indigenous Star Stories

When you look up at the night’s sky, what do you see?...

Indigenizing Movement and Mental Health

Movement is medicine – for our mind, body, and spirit. For our...

Our Cultures are Our Source of Health

Renowned Hollywood actor and Cherokee tribal member, Wes Studi, explains how American...

History Through a Native Lens

Timeline Overview This timeline of historically traumatic events was authored by Karina...

Mountain Meditation

Sit tall with a long spine and your head erect to allow...

Represent – Computer Medicine

Mattie Harper, Bois Forte Ojibwe, is a Ph.D candidate in Ethnic Studies...

National Native American Heritage Month

A little proclamation from the prez in honor of National Native American...

Men’s Health

It’s Men’s Health Week this week. It’s a time for health and...

REPRESENT

Kayla Gebeck, Red Lake Ojibwe, studies linguistics and Native American Studies at...

Native Pride

It is not documents that define us, but rather what is undocumented....

Mixed Identity

I belong to two different tribes: to the Shoalwater Bay Indian tribe...

We Are Still Here

What is today’s young Native American’s life like? What are the challenges...

Spiritual Well-being

Whether you turn to traditional culture, an organized religion, or to a...

A Native Candidate’s Story

When Barbara Vicknair (enrolled citizen of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians...

To the Indigenous Women: A Poem by the 1491s

Raise Awareness and Help End the Epidemic of Violence against Native Women...

562

562: A photo project documenting all 562…now 566 tribes in the United...

What I am Thankful for

What I am Thankful For Tribal Ways I am thankful for our...

Traditional Stories of Sexual Health

Joey Criddle is a Two Spirit man fighting with other LGBTQ Native...

Tiffany Benally

I am a young mother and wife. I was born in Fort...

Run for it!

Have you ever considered running for a tribal office or position? As...

Two Spirit

Two Spirited people have both a male and female spirit in them.

Poetry Slam: I Know this to be True

I know this to be true – that I do not like...

Native Identity: Stereotypes

When I first started college in Seattle, Washington, I started making a...

Spiritual Well-being

Steven offers some advice and encourages us to be positive…each day

Imelda Martina Sanchez

I am Imelda Martina Sanchez. I am a Native and Mexican American...

iLL Mind Of Ghost Dog: The Most Dangerous Native

As you ladies and gents read the title of my blog, “The...

Two Spirit Project (Garni)

Garni (Blackfoot Nation) talks about coming out as a lesbian and her...

I Am Indian Country

Respect, honesty, love, bravery, humility, truth and wisdom are our cultural values....

Indigenous Story Studio

Indigenous Story Studio creates illustrations, posters, video and comic books on health...

Violence Against Women

Please contact your senators and representatives and urge them to pass a...

Happy Halloween: What Are You Doing With Your Pumpkin?

Pumpkins have long served as a staple in the diet of American...

Erika Ramirez

My experience at the NIHB Native Youth Health Summit, was one of...

Wabanaki Two-Spirit Alliance: It Gets Better!

This “It gets better” video was made in support of Two-Spirit youth...

Culture is Prevention

Culture is Prevention: Native youth and elders explore underage drinking. Filmed at...

Bad Indians: A Poem By Ryan Red Corn

I was told by those old ones that every song has a...

Natives Helping Natives

A Public Service Announcement filmed by youth participants at the NativeSTAND conference...

I Strengthen My Nation

A media campaign featuring Hollywood actor Chaske Spencer (who played Sam Uley...

Men’s Fancy Dance

The men’s fancy dance is one of the most exuberant and wildly...

Ripple Effect

When you’re feeling down, try talking with someone who can help. Call...

Medicine Wheels

Medicine Wheels are a powerful intertribal symbol that represents living a balanced...

Man in the Maze

“The maze is a symbol of life … happiness, sadness … and...

1/2

Monika lost her identity…but her identity never lost her. Instead of feeling...

Legend of the Origin of Baskets

Long ago, there was a young woman whom we would call in...

Leaving Home

When you leave home—perhaps for college, or to move out and start...

Natives and Sports

Arabella Zephier (Yankton Sioux, Ihanktonwan Oyate) talks about her struggles with wanting...

Language

A man and an eagle were flying one day, the man’s hair...

Lacrosse

Lacrosse is a traditional game that has been played by many of...

Native Pride-Language

What does Native Pride mean to you? Anthony talks about keeping traditions...

Indian Boarding Schools

In the late 1800s, Native Americans were losing the U.S-Indian wars, particularly...

Historical Trauma – Steps in Healing

Many Native teens still carry historical trauma with them today. How many...

Miss Indian Nations

A short conversation with Shanoa Pinkham (Yakama), 2011 Miss Indian Nations.

Beadwork: Tips and Supplies

Here is a link to a website that offers diagrams on how...

Assimilation, Relocation, Genocide

Since first contact, Native Americans have been given three choices — which...

Identity-Proud Native American

A video poem that honors Anishinaabe heritage. The poem illustrates a young...

Men’s Grass Dance

A dancer, clad in bright colors, sways and moves as a strand...

The Urban Relocation Program

In the last half of the 20th Century, a government program that...

Identity-Geronimo E-KIA

Geronimo was a product of his environment. A human. One with flaws....

Powwows

Geronimo, Crazy Horse, Chief Joseph Jesus, I wanna be the poet who...

Residential Schools

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a program was set...

I Strengthen My Nation – PSA

That one choice strengthens you, strengthens others, and strengthens your Nation.

Rez To Urban Transition

Growing up on the reservation is a privilege afforded to few. Getting...

Seven Grandfathers

Once there was a child. Though she was very young, the patriarchs...

I Strengthen My Nation – Extended

People notice your actions. You have influence. Think about it. What someone...

Smudging

Have you ever been at a powwow or a ceremonial gathering and...

Spirit Animals

Many members of the Native community possess what is known as a...

How the Chipmunk Got Its Stripes

  A traditional Tulalip story of how the chipmunk got its stripes....

Spirit Houses

Many tribal communities have a tradition of a specific place to go...

Native Baseball

This game is simple and does not require a lot of space...

Family

Shante’s grandma has been there for her through thick and thin. She...

Story of Rock

In the beginning, the Creator was lonely and decided to create the...

Story of the Seasons

Long, long ago there were many kinds of Seasons. They were very...

Drugs And Alcohol

Vance Home Gun. How has alcohol affected your life? Vance shares a...

Teaching Quotes From Our Elders

We Indians live in a world of symbols and images where the...

The Sacred Circle

A young man sat alone near the river, apart from his three...

Dii ei Shighan (This Is My Home)

Graham Beyale. This is my DIGITAL STORY that was made at a...

The Three Sisters

An Iroquois legend tells of three sisters who sprouted from the body...

Ojibwe Dreamcatcher Legend

This is the way the old Ojibwe say Spider Woman helped bring...

Bullying

Bullying Is Not the Ojibwe Way  

The Widow As Butterfly: A Story Of Renewal

Long ago, there were two Caterpillar people who loved each other very...

The Woman Who Loved a Serpent Who Lived in a Lake

There was a very beautiful woman. She turned the heads of all...

Asema Is Sacred

Tolowim Woman & Butterfly Man

A Tolowim woman went out to gather food. She took her child...

Trail of Tears

In the early 1800s, the Cherokee tried to assimilate, along with their...

Around Here

Tribal Sovereignty

After over 300 years of history, the question of Indian tribal sovereignty is...

Tuska

Tuska is a traditional game that is played in a field and...

Values

The seven grandfather teachings passed down by our elders have given us...

When a Woman has her Moon

People will say that a woman who is having her moon should...

Women’s Fancy Shawl

The Fancy Shawl dance is one of the most athletic dance styles....

Women’s Jingle Dance

The jingle dance is an innovative and rhythmic style which originated among...

I have friends back home that give me a hard time about leaving my rez.

see answer

Find Us

Follow Us

Enter Phone Number to Subscribe:

Msg & Data Rates May Apply.
Text STOP to opt out. No purchase necessary.
Expect 4 msgs/mo.Terms and Conditions

Menu