Dear USET/USET SPF Family,
Following an inaugural in-person convening this May, the Department of Interior's (DOI) Secretary’s Tribal Advisory Committee (STAC) has issued its first policy recommendations to various federal entities, including DOI, as well as the Department of State, White House Council on Native American Affairs (WHCNAA), and White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP).
Our region is currently being represented by Eastern Region Primary, Poarch Band of Creek Indians Chairwoman, Stephanie Bryan. The Alternate position remains vacant, although USET SPF recently transmitted a letter supporting Tribal leaders interested in filling that open seat.
Through its role supporting the Eastern Region, USET SPF was heavily involved in drafting and providing guidance on the development of DOI STAC's policy recommendations. This is another example of this organization's impact on the national conversation surrounding federal Indian policy and the nature of our Nation-to-Nation, diplomatic relationship with the United States.
As you may recall, in June 2022, the Department of the Interior (DOI) announced the appointment of the first-ever members to its . The creation of the DOI STAC was announced during the 2021 White House Tribal Nations Summit to provide an avenue for Tribal Leaders to engage in routine and robust dialogue with Secretary Deb Haaland on important DOI programs and funding issues affecting Tribal Nations. The Committee’s membership is comprised of 24 Tribal Leaders—two for each of the 12 Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Regions.
USET SPF will continue to ensure the priorities of our member Tribal Nations remain at the forefront of the DOI STAC's work. We will provide further updates as they unfold.
For more information, please contact Liz Malerba, Director of Policy and Legislative Affairs, at lmalerba@usetinc.org.
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