Co-Stewardship a Focal Point for the Interior Department

The Department of the Interior has recently announced a suite of transformative initiatives aimed at reinforcing the nation-to-nation relationship with Tribal Nations across the United States. These initiatives mark a significant stride in the government’s commitment to increase Tribal co-stewardship of lands and waters, integrate Indigenous Knowledge into the Department’s activities, and safeguard sacred sites nationwide.

At the heart of this announcement is the profound understanding of the intrinsic connection between Indigenous peoples and the Earth’s lands and waters. Secretary Deb Haaland, in her remarks at the 2023 White House Tribal Nations Summit, articulated this sentiment eloquently. “Since time immemorial, the Earth’s lands and waters have been central to the social, cultural, spiritual, mental, and physical wellbeing of Indigenous peoples,” Haaland stated.

She emphasized the importance of Indigenous Knowledge in guiding the stewardship of public lands and waters, noting, “It is essential that we do everything we can to ensure that Indigenous Knowledge helps guide our ongoing work as stewards of public lands and waters.” Haaland underscored the benefits that all Americans would reap from this strengthened approach to managing federal land and resources.

The 2023 White House Tribal Nations Summit, a significant forum for the Biden-Harris administration and Tribal leaders from the 574 federally recognized Tribes, focuses on reinforcing and investing in nation-to-nation relationships. These discussions aim to ensure that the progress achieved in Indian Country is sustainable and long-lasting.

A cornerstone of these efforts is the initiative to increase Tribal Co-Stewardship of Lands and Waters. This began with the signing of Joint Secretary’s Order 3403 (S.O. 3403) at the 2021 Summit by Secretary Haaland and Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack. This order committed to Tribal and federal co-stewardship of federal lands, waters, and wildlife.

In 2022, the scope of this commitment expanded with Secretary Raimondo of the Commerce Department signing on to S.O. 3403. Since then, there has been remarkable progress, with nearly 200 new co-stewardship agreements signed between the Departments, Tribes, Alaska Native Corporations, and consortiums, a significant increase from the 20 agreements completed at the previous Summit. The Interior Department’s second annual report on Tribal co-stewardship provides a detailed account of these agreements and the overall implementation of S.O. 3403.

Another key aspect of these initiatives is the integration of Indigenous Knowledge in the Department’s Work. Secretary Haaland announced the publication of departmental guidance on this matter, encapsulated in a new chapter in the agency’s Departmental Manual.

This chapter formalizes Indigenous Knowledge as a foundational element of the Department’s mission, recognizing it as one of the vital knowledge systems contributing to the well-being of the United States and our collective understanding of the natural world.

The new chapter aims to facilitate and encourage the consistent, broad, and equitable inclusion of Indigenous Knowledge, both internally within the Department and externally in its dealings and research.

The protection of Indigenous Sacred Sites has also been a focal point. The White House Council on Native American Affairs, co-chaired by Secretary Haaland and Domestic Policy Advisor Neera Tanden, published a Best Practices Guide for Federal Agencies Regarding Tribal and Native Hawaiian Sacred Sites. This guide provides comprehensive best practices, procedures, and guidance for the management, treatment, and protection of sacred sites.

The guide, informed by feedback from Tribal and Native Hawaiian consultation, identifies challenges to the protection of these sites and suggests remedies. This effort builds upon a Memorandum of Understanding signed at the 2021 Summit, aimed at enhancing collaboration with Tribes for stewardship and access to sacred sites and incorporating Indigenous Knowledge in management practices.

The Department of the Interior, overseeing more acres of land and water than any other Federal agency, recognizes the special significance of these lands and waters to American Indians, Alaska Natives, and affiliated Island Communities. The term “co-stewardship” encompasses collaborative arrangements between Department bureaus, offices, Tribes, and Native Hawaiian Organizations for managing, conserving, and preserving these federal lands and waters.

In 2021, a joint Secretarial Order was signed by the Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture to facilitate this co-stewardship. Since then, the Department of the Interior (DOI) has entered several co-stewardship agreements and issued new policy guidance to reinforce this collaborative approach.

The Office of Policy Analysis is instrumental in this co-stewardship work, offering expert research, analysis, and supporting collaboration among DOI bureaus. The overarching goal is to empower Indigenous communities while ensuring effective management of these unique and culturally significant places.