Helpful resources on government to government engagement
Why tribal consultation?
The United States has a unique legal and political relationship with American Indian tribes and a special relationship with Alaska Native entities (Executive Order 13592). Federal consultation with Native American tribes must be meaningful, conducted in good faith, and entered into on a government to government basis.
Formal consultation, through the GSA Tribal Consultation Policy, is essential as we develop and implement policies that might affect tribes. Through commitments made in our Consultation Action Plan, we strive to hear directly from tribal leaders and Native American business leaders regarding our support of Native American affairs.
We're committed to transparency and collaboration with tribal governments, and understand that through a government-to-government relationship rooted in respect and earned trust, we can achieve great outcomes. There are times in which we may engage in one-on-one or regional consultations as special projects and initiatives may have interests that affect tribal interests or lands. Additionally, as our Public Buildings Service supports other federal agencies and real estate efforts, there are special National Environmental Policy Act, or NEPA, and Section 106 consultation protocols that we follow when engaging with tribes.
How to request tribal consultation
Tribes, Alaska Native regional corporations, and Alaska Native villages can request that we consult or set up a meeting with elected leaders of their respective government by emailing tribalaffairs@gsa.gov.
Upcoming consultations
We invite tribal and business leaders in Indian country to an annual government to government consultation to discuss tribal and Alaska Native interests and concerns about our support services.
Our next G2G consultation is March 13 in Las Vegas, Nevada, in conjunction with RES 2024.
Register to attend our Tribal Consultation
Consultations versus listening sessions
A listening session is an informal meeting, but with a record of it, where federal agencies share information with and seek information from tribal representatives. Formal consultation includes:
- Two-way dialogue between official representatives of tribes and federal agencies.
- Notice with sufficient detail of the topic in question being provided to tribes at least 30 days in advance.
- Federal decision-maker participation.
- Discussion between tribes and federal decision-makers, with a preference for in-person meetings if feasible.
- Record of proceedings via transcript or notes.
- Federal response to tribal leaders on how the final agency decision incorporated tribal input.
Key tribal engagement requirement publications
Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments
Executive Order 13175 of November 6, 2000
Tribal Consultation and Strengthening Nation-to-Nation Relationships
Memorandum of January 26, 2021 - 02075
Uniform Standards for Tribal Consultation
Memorandum of November 30, 2022 - 26555
Current consultation documents
2024 Dear Tribal Leader Letter
Past consultation documents
Invitation letter to our April 3, 2023 G2G consultation [PDF - 291 KB]
Fiscal year 2023 tribal consultation report