Ian Brickey, ian.brickey@sierraclub.org
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, the National Park Service (NPS) announced new commitments to working with Tribes to steward public lands and waters.
In the first move of its kind, NPS Director Chuck Sams issued the order for agency decision makers to engage in nation-to-nation consultations with Indian and Alaska Native Tribes. The order, which was developed with input from Tribes, enshrines and enhances current NPS policies and procedures, and establishes meaningful consultations with Tribes as an agency policy priority.
The order establishes a consultation process that:
- Respects and upholds inherent Tribal sovereignty;
- Acknowledges the authority of Indigenous narratives and oral traditions;
- Amplifies the interests of Indigenous peoples;
- Honors the common Indigenous point of view of natural resources as cultural resources;
- Provides notice to Indian and Alaska Native Tribes and sets timelines for inviting them to consult as early as possible when park managers are considering an agency action, while supporting Tribes to initiate consultations as well; and
- Employs transparent, respectful, and frequent communication with Tribes.
The order is the latest action by the Biden Administration to strengthen coordination between federal agencies and Tribal communities. In 2021 and 2022, President Biden issued directives reinforcing federal commitments to Tribal sovereignty and including Indigenous voices in policy considerations, and establishing minimum requirements for Tribal consultations across federal agencies.
In response, Athan Manuel, Director of Sierra Club’s Lands Protection Program, released the following statement:
“For too long, Indigenous voices were ignored when it came to managing public lands and waters. Today’s order confirms that Indigenous voices and perspectives are essential for the responsible management of these treasured landscapes. Tribes have acted as stewards of the landscapes they have called home since time immemorial, and we are hopeful this order will enable federal agencies and Tribes to work together to protect the lands, waters, and biodiversity we all need to thrive.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.