Recognition & Partnership
-Government solutions should include Tribal Governments alongside Federal, State, and local entities, recognizing that effective public policy requires collaboration across all stakeholders. Tribes are vital economic and community contributors, and integrating them into the fabric of government leads to stronger outcomes for California communities.
Engage Tribes in Direct & Meaningful Ways
-Tribes are sovereign governments that actively serve their communities and should be included in policy development – not just consulted as a formality. Genuine engagement with Tribal leaders leads to better decisions, stronger outcomes, and solutions that reflect the needs and perspectives of Tribal Nations.
Establishing an Overarching Construct for Tribal Engagement & Inclusion
-Effective Tribal engagement requires dedicated contacts, consistent communication, and sufficient resources on both Tribal and non-Tribal government sides to ensure meaningful collaboration. Establishing formal structures – like leadership-level positions focused on Tribal relations- helps ensure Tribes are informed, included, and able to contribute to policy development and implementation.
Appropriate Factors for recognizing a group as a Tribe for the purposes of legislation or public policy
-Policies must carefully determine how Tribes are defined and recognized, as using broad references (like existing lists) may not always be appropriate, especially given differences between Federally and non-Federally recognized Tribes and the specific goals of each policy.
Contact us today
