Babaamaajimowinan (Telling of news in different places)

THE DEPARTMENTS OF THE ARMY, THE INTERIOR AND JUSTICE INVITE TRIBAL LEADERS TO PARTICIPATE IN FORMAL GOVERNMENT-TO-GOVERNMENT CONSULTATIONS ON INFRASTRUCTURE DECISION MAKING

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Departments of Justice, of the Army, and of the Interior today invited representatives from all 567 federally recognized tribes to participate in formal, government-to-government consultations on how federal decision-making on infrastructure projects can better allow for timely and meaningful tribal input. Starting with a listening session on Oct. 11, formal tribal consultations are scheduled in six regions of the country, from Oct. 25 through Nov. 21. The deadline for written input will be Nov. 30.

The three departments previously announced on Sept. 9, the intention to hold these consultation sessions after important issues were raised by the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and other tribal nations and their members regarding the Dakota Access pipeline specifically and pipeline-related decision-making more generally.

The consultations will focus on how the federal government can better ensure meaningful tribal input into infrastructure-related decisions and the protection of tribal lands, resources and treaty rights and will also explore with tribes whether new legislation should be proposed to Congress to alter the current statutory framework to promote those goals.

 

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