Dear USET/USET SPF Family,
On September 10th, Department of Interior (DOI) Assistant Secretary— Indian Affairs, Bryan Newland, announced via “Dear Tribal Leader” letter that DOI is seeking Tribal Nation input as to what its top priorities should be with regard to several topics related to the protection and restoration of Tribal Homelands. The consultation sessions will focus on three specific topics: the land-into-trust process; leasing and rights-of-way; and sacred sites and treaty rights. While several consultation opportunities have been scheduled, the session for our region is scheduled for today, October 21st:
- For Tribal Nations in the Eastern and Central Time Zones:
- Thursday, October 21, 2021, at 2 p.m.-4 p.m. EDT/1 p.m.-3 p.m. CDT
- Please register in advance here.
In support of our member Tribal Nations attending the consultation this afternoon, we have drafted a set of talking points that address both DOI's framing questions and USET SPF priorities around homelands protection and restoration. It is critically important, however, that DOI understand the unique experiences of each Tribal Nation regarding the loss and restoration of Tribal homelands. We defer to our member Tribal Nations on these narratives.
USET SPF is encouraged by the focus of this consultation. Tribal land base is a core aspect of Tribal sovereignty, cultural identity, and represents the foundation of our Tribal economies. USET SPF member Tribal Nations continue to work to reacquire our homelands, which are fundamental to our existence as sovereign governments and our ability to thrive as vibrant, healthy, self-sufficient communities. As a partner who shares in the trust relationship, it is incumbent upon the federal government to prioritize and defend the restoration of our land bases. We urge DOI to commit to revising its lands policies in order to better exemplify this foundational trust obligation.
For more information, please contact Liz Malerba, USET SPF Director of Policy and Legislative Affairs, at lmalerba@usetinc.org.
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