Description

Dear Tribal Leader,

On behalf of HHS Acting Secretary, Norris Cochran, please see the attached letter announcing Tribal Consultation on the January 26^th Presidential Memorandum on Tribal Consultation and Strengthening Nation-to-Nation Relationships.  HHS takes its responsibility to consult with Tribal Governments seriously and first established the Department’s Tribal Consultation Policy in 1997, with multiple revisions since its creation to facilitate better communication.  The current HHS Tribal Consultation Policy is available here.

As the President’s memorandum states, “History demonstrates that we best serve Native American people when Tribal governments are empowered to lead their communities, and when Federal officials speak with and listen to Tribal leaders in formulating Federal policy that affects Tribal Nations.” To that end, HHS is seeking your recommendations and feedback on how we can improve the Department’s policies, and practices to better engage with Indian Country through meaningful consultation.  Consultation times, dates and links are below:

• Thursday, March 25, 2021 (2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. ET): Register for Region 10

Specific questions on which we welcome your feedback, are listed below.

1. How do we strengthen our Tribal Consultation Policy and Process across the Department to ensure all operating and staff divisions are responsive and engaging with Indian Country in a meaningful way?

2. How do we improve our communication and outreach regarding policy or program changes at the Department that impact Indian Tribes? Are there specific areas where Tribal officials would like more information or feel they are not getting adequate outreach to engage in a meaningful way?

3. How do we improve our annual regional Tribal Consultations?  Should we continue to have sessions every year, or should we host national sessions?

4. What comments or concerns do you have that will help us improve HHS Tribal Consultation Policy?

Please send us your initial comments and recommendations no later than March 26, 2021 to consultation@hhs.gov.  This initial feedback will help guide us in next steps for further consultation later this year.  Information and feedback gathered at these sessions will be shared with the STAC and at the HHS Annual Tribal Budget Consultation on April 6-7, 2021 when Tribal leaders will have further opportunity to make recommendations.  For more information, please e-mail us at consultation@hhs.gov.

Tribal Affairs Team

Office of the Secretary | Intergovernmental and External Affairs

Department of Health and Human Services

Who Should Attend: Tribal Leaders