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Tribal Consultations

The Office of Tribal Relations serves as the single point of contact for consultation with American Indian and Alaska Native Governments and continues to refine the consultation process to ensure strong partnerships that will preserve Tribal sovereignty and result in high quality service for farmers, ranchers, consumers, and other constituents.

USDA Departmental Regulation on Tribal Consultation, Coordination, and Collaboration
Presidential Executive Order on Tribal Consultation
USDA Consultation Action Plan (PDF, 478 KB)
USDA Consultation Plan of Action 270 Day Report (PDF, 186 KB)
Memorandum of Tribal Consultation

Upcoming Listening Sessions

No upcoming sessions.

Previous Listening Sessions

Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Climate Resilient Forests and Grasslands; Secretarial Memo 1077-004 on Climate Resilience and Carbon Stewardship of America's National Forests and Grasslands; and, Executive Order 14072 on Strengthening the Nation's Forests, Grasslands, and Local Economies

  • Date: Wednesday, July 12, 2023
  • Time: 1:00 PM ET

Documents:

Rural Business Development Grant Program Proposed Rule Consultation

Tribal Caucus:

  • Date: July 12, 2023
  • Time: 1:00-2:00pm EDT
  • Note: Tribal caucus is an opportunity for Tribal leaders to discuss relevant consultation issues, typically facilitated by a recognized Tribal organization, without federal policymakers online.

Tribal Consultation and Listening Session:

  • Date: July 12, 2023
  • Time: 2:00-3:30pm EDT
  • Note: Tribal Leaders registered for the caucus do not have to register again for the consultation.

Documents:

Tribal Reforestation Engagement Session: Tribal Forests, Federal Forests, Seeds, Nurseries

WHO: Tribal Leaders, Tribal Nurseries/Colleges/Experts
DATE: Thursday, February 23, 2023
TIME: 2:30 – 4:30pm ET
ZOOM: www.zoomgov.com/j/1611270858?pwd=NjA3KzZqdnVraytSMEhmZk1TMGY3QT09
RSVP: Tribal.Relations@usda.gov

Tribal Reforestation Engagement Session Letter (PDF, 287 KB)

Animal Disease Traceability Framework Listening Session

Date: June 23, 2022
Time: 1:00 pm ET
Details: The national animal disease traceability (ADT) framework allows Federal, State, Tribal, and private animal health professionals to work together to identify diseased animals, quickly trace their movements, and control disease spread to protect the livestock industry, whose production value was approximately $64 billion in 2020 (National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA). The ADT framework enables state, tribal, and federal animal health officials to trace an animal from the location of official identification application to the animal’s last location, which is often the termination point or slaughter plant. Knowledge of the location of diseased and exposed animals helps preserve animal health; enables a rapid response in case of an animal disease event; reduces animal illnesses and deaths during outbreaks; and decreases the long term cost to producers, consumers, and the government. This system also assures our trading partners that the USDA and State partners can rapidly contain an animal disease event.

Animal Disease Traceability Framework Invitation Letter (PDF, 249 KB)

Upcoming Consultations

FDPIR Supply Chain Disruptions Follow-Up Consultation
Where: Intertribal Agriculture Council Annual Conference
Room: Nove
Palms Casino Resort
Las Vegas, Nevada
When: Monday, December 9, 2024
9:00-3:00 pm Pacific Time
RSVP: Whether attending in person or remotely, please register.

Previous Consultations

FDPIR Supply Chain Disruptions Follow-Up Consultation
What: FDPIR Supply Chain Disruptions Follow-Up Consultation
Where: 35th Annual NAFDPIR Conference
Muckleshoot Casino Resort
Auburn, WA
When: Wednesday, October 9, 2024
1:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Pacific Time

RSVP: Whether attending in person or remotely, please register.

Details: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) invites your participation in a Tribal Consultation Follow-Up regarding the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) supply chain disruptions. This will be a continuation of the consultation held on Thursday September 12, 2024. The short, medium and long-term response actions will form the basis for this consultation.

FDPIR Warehouse Issues – Tribal Consultation and Listening Session
What: FDPIR Supply Chain Disruptions Consultation
Where: USDA South Building
Cafeteria Conference Room
Floor 1, Wing 3
1400 Independence Ave., S.W.
Washington, D.C.
When: Thursday, September 12, 2024
9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time

Details: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) invites your participation in a Tribal Consultation on the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) supply chain disruptions. USDA is working urgently to address significant delays in the delivery of USDA Foods from the contracted national multi-food warehouse to the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) and the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR), impacting inventory levels at CSFP and FDPIR sites and the availability of a sufficient variety and quantity of food resources for program participants. USDA recognizes this disruption in the FDPIR program has left locations without sufficient inventories of food items, which is unacceptable. We are actively addressing the delays in the short term and developing a longer term and permanent plan to ensure a steady and reliable supply.

Consultation and Listening Session on USDA’s Water-Saving Commodities program

Date: Monday August 26, 2024
Time: 1:00 – 3:00 pm ET

Details: This new one-time program, funded by the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC), aims to support commodity production while incentivizing a reduction in consumptive water use in water-stressed regions. USDA will enter into agreements with irrigation districts or water users, who will then enter into agreements with producers to reduce consumptive water use on their farm. USDA is not being prescriptive in the strategies that need to be adopted to achieve these goals, and we’ll work closely with selected partners to identify innovative and regionally appropriate solutions. More information is available through the press release.

Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Research Study Consultation
Date: Monday, July 29, 2024
Time: 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm ET

Details: WIC operates in 89 State agencies, including five territories (Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands) and 33 Indian Tribal Organizations (ITOs). While the requirements for all WIC State agencies are the same, circumstances in the territories and ITOs, such as food costs related to transporting supplies long distances, could make program operations qualitatively different than in other State agencies. USDA is conducting a research study in a sample of Territories and ITOs to examine how operations are uniquely different than in other WIC State agencies, and determine how this impacts the program experience. Findings from the research study could inform program or policy adjustments to ensure equitable operations and services for all WIC participants.

FDPIR Tribal Leader Consultation Work Group Tribal Consultation
Date: Thursday, June 6, 2024
Time: 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time – 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time
Location: Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort
40 Convention Center Dr.
Cherokee, NC 28719

Tribal Consultation: Expanding Tribal Self Determination Policies at USDA

Where: National Congress of American Indians Mid-Year
(Cherokee, N.C.) (Hybrid: In-person and virtual)

Caucus: May 23rd: 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm (ET)

The Indigenous Food and Agriculture Initiative will facilitate a Tribal Caucus on May 23 from 1-4 p.m. CST ahead of the USDA Consultations on Expanding Tribal Self Determination Policies during NCAI Mid Year, the week of June 3 at the Eastern Band Cherokee Indians. This caucus will be closed to federal staff, and registrants will have access to a briefing note that will cover the three topics.

If you have questions about the caucus or would like to register for the caucus, please contact John VanPool (jvanpool@uark.edu) or Joseph Damaso (jdamaso@uark.edu).

Dates: Monday, June 3:
Forestry (1-4 p.m. EDT)
Register Here for Forestry Consultation
Forestry Framing Paper (PDF, 263 KB)

Monday, June 3:
Meat Inspections (4:30-7:30 p.m. EDT)
Register Here for Meat Inspections Consultation
Meat Inspections Framing Paper (PDF, 261 KB)

Wednesday, June 5:
Food Sovereignty and Nutrition Programs (1-4 p.m. EDT)
Register Here for Food Sovereignty and Nutrition Consultation
Food Sovereignty and Nutrition Programs Framing Paper (PDF, 336 KB)

RSVP: All attendees, including those attending in-person, must register/RSVP above. The Zoom link will allow you to choose “Virtual” or “In-Person.

Tribal Treaty Database Consultation and Listening Session
What: Tribal Treaty Database Consultation and Listening Session
Where: NCAI Midyear Convention, Cherokee, North Carolina
Room: 108
When: Wednesday, June 5, 2024
1:00 – 3:00PM ET
RSVP: Whether attending in person or remote please register at the following link: Tribal Consultation and Listening Session on USDA-DOI Treaty Database ZoomGov registration

Consultation on Notice of Proposed Rulemaking related to adding members to the Federal Subsistence Board

Date: May 20, 2024
Time: 3:30 pm - 5:30 pm

Details: The Department of the Interior (DOI) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) are committed to partnering on a nation-to-nation basis with Tribes to receive input on the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking related to adding members to the Federal Subsistence Board.

The Federal Subsistence Management Program is a joint effort between DOI and USDA and these regulations are located in two different titles of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR): The USDA regulations are at title 36, "Parks, Forests, and Public Property," and the DOI regulations are at title 50, "Wildlife and Fisheries," at 36 CFR 242.1-28 and 50 CFR 100.1-28, respectively.

This proposed rule would revise the regulations concerning the composition of the Federal Subsistence Board (Board) by adding three public members nominated or recommended by federally recognized Tribal governments, requiring that those nominees have personal knowledge of and direct experience with subsistence uses in rural Alaska including Alaska Native subsistence uses, defining requirements used for the selection of the Board Chair, affirming the Secretaries' authority to replace members from the Board, and affirming the Secretaries' responsibility and oversight regarding Board decisions while incorporating a ratification requirement.

More Information: Notice of Proposed Rulemaking related to adding members to the Federal Subsistence Board | Indian Affairs (bia.gov)

Build America, Buy America Act (BABAA) Purchase Preference Consultation and Listening Session

USDA will host the same consultation/listening session discussion over two different days to provide additional time for Indian Country participation.

Date: Wednesday, May 22, 2024

Date: Thursday, May 23, 2024

Documents:

Details: Under BABAA, when Indian tribes, Alaska Native Corporations, non-profits, Institutions of Higher Education, and state and local governments receive federal financial assistance for fixed site projects serving a public function, they must domestically source steel, iron, manufactured products, and construction materials. Feedback from across Indian Country is necessary for USDA to effectively balance our nation-to-nation responsibilities with the statutory requirements provided under the Build America, Buy America Act.

2024 Barriers Consultation

Dates:

  1. Monday April 22: Education and Research
  2. Tuesday April 23: Forests and Public Lands Management
  3. Wednesday April 24: Farming, Ranching, and Conservation
  4. Thursday April 25: Economic Development
  5. Friday April 26: Food, Safety, and Trade

Time: Tribal Caucus – 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm ET / Tribal Consultation – 3:00 pm – 5:30 pm

Details: These consultations build on those which occurred in 2021, 2022, and 2023. Over three years of consultations, we have had some important, and at times difficult, conversations about barriers to services at USDA and ways we can improve the experience for Indian Country. We have made tremendous progress in many areas identified in these consultations, as we announced at the 2023 Tribal Nations Summit. We are proud of this progress, but there is still work to do. For the 2024 consultations and listening sessions, we will ask for your input on some critical issues that remain difficult to address. Our framing papers will outline key topics where we are seeking Tribal input, in addition to other concerns which leaders wish to bring to our attention.

Documents:

Education and Research Consultation (Monday April 22nd)

Forests and Public Lands Management Consultation (Tuesday April 23rd)

Farming, Ranching, and Conservation Consultation (Wednesday April 24th)

Economic Development Consultation (Thursday April 25th)

Food, Safety, and Trade Consultation (Friday April 26th)

Tribal Consultation and Listening Session on Public Access to USDA-Funded Research

Registration: All attendees, including those attending in person, must register. Please use the registration link below to kindly register by April 10, 2024.
Registration Link: ZoomGov Registration
Date: Thursday April 11, 2024
Time: 1:30 p.m. ET – 3:30 p.m. ET

Details: This tribal consultation and listening session will discuss changes to the public access requirements to USDA-funded research results. Specifically, topics will include equitable access to the results of USDA-funded research, indigenous data sovereignty, and potential outreach and training partnerships.

March 2024 SNAP Consultation

Rules Being Covered

  1. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program: Program Purpose and Work Requirement Provisions of the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023
  2. Enhancing Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) Card Security Measures

Date: Friday, March 15, 2024
Time: 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM (EDT)
Comments: Comments can be submitted up to 30 calendar days after the consultation to tribal.relations@usda.gov

Tribal Caucus Time

FDPIR Tribal Leader Consultation Work Group Tribal Consultation

Date: Friday, February 16, 2024
Time: 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time – 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time
Location:
South Building
1st Floor – Wing 3
1400 Independence Ave SW
Washington, D.C. 20250
Room: Cafeteria Conference Room

December 2023 FDPIR Tribal Leader Consultation Work Group

Date: Monday, December 11, 2023
Time: 8:30 a.m. Pacific Time – 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time
Location: Intertribal Agriculture Council Annual Conference Palms Casino 4321 W. Flamingo Rd Las Vegas, Nevada 89103
Room: NOVE

Documents:

Consultation Departmental Regulation (DR) 1340-002: Consolidating USDA Agencies’ Services on Indian Reservations

Date: Wednesday, September 13, 2023
Time: 2:00 pm ET – 3:30 pm ET

Documents:

Details: USDA will be holding a tribal consultation on revisions to Departmental Regulation (DR) 1340-002: Consolidating USDA Agencies’ Services on Indian Reservations. This internal USDA Department Regulation would:

  • Expand USDA’s policy to provide tribes the opportunity to request USDA suboffices on their reservations to provide technical assistance from the following agencies:
    • The Farm Service Agency (FSA) and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) (from the Farm Production and Conservation (FPAC) Mission Area), and
    • The Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBCS), Rural Housing Service (RHS), and Rural Utility Service (RUS) (from Rural Development (RD) Mission Area).
  • There are not currently any specific Congressional appropriations accompanying the enhanced opportunities from the proposed policy.

Rural Business Development Grant Program Proposed Rule Consultation

Tribal Caucus:

  • Date: July 12, 2023
  • Time: 1:00-2:00pm EDT
  • Note: Tribal caucus is an opportunity for Tribal leaders to discuss relevant consultation issues, typically facilitated by a recognized Tribal organization, without federal policymakers online.

Tribal Consultation and Listening Session:

  • Date: July 12, 2023
  • Time: 2:00-3:30pm EDT
  • Note: Tribal Leaders registered for the caucus do not have to register again for the consultation.

Documents:

FDPIR Tribal Leader Consultation Work Group Tribal Consultation and Commodity Supplemental Food Program Tribal Consultation

Date: Tuesday, June 27, 2023
Time: 9:00 a.m. CDT – 5:00 p.m. CDT

Location: 2023 Tribal Self-Governance Conference
River Spirit Resort Casino
Tulsa, OK
Room: Meeting Rooms 1 and 2

Documents:

2023 Equity and Barriers Consultations

Dates:

  1. Monday, April 24: Economic Development
  2. Tuesday, April 25: Food, Safety, and Trade
  3. Thursday, April 27: Farming, Ranching, and Conservation
  4. Friday, April 28: Forests and Public Lands Management
  5. Monday, May 1: Education and Research

Time: Tribal Caucus – 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm ET / Tribal Consultation – 3:00 pm – 5:30 pm ET

Details: Building off of the consultations USDA held in 2021 and 2022, these upcoming consultations will report out on previously identified barriers as well as talk about ones not previously discussed. Like last year’s consultations, it will be divided into five different topics on different days. There will be Framing Papers for each of these areas. These are not meant to limit conversation, but rather provide issues that have been previously identified that can help guide the conversation.

Documents:

Economic Development Consultation

Farming, Ranching and Conservation Consultation

Food, Safety and Trade Consultation

Forests & Public Lands Management Consultation

Education & Research Consultation

February 2023 FDPIR Tribal Leader Consultation Work Group Consultation
Date: Wednesday, February 22, 2023
Time: 8:30 a.m. ET – 4:30 p.m. ET
Location: Press Room 107A – Whitten Building
Zoom Registration: www.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/vJItcOGprDwvH73X3MEwmoBdW2Qr6Xmo6lo

Proxy Letter Template (DOCX, 20.3 KB)
Tribal Invitation (PDF, 349 KB)
Agenda (PDF, 151 KB)
Briefing Paper (PDF, 524 KB)
February 2023 FDPIR TLCWG Consultation Report Out (PDF, 290 KB)

Tribal Consultation and Listening Session on Inclusive Competition and Market Integrity Under the Packers and Stockyards Act
Date: Thursday, January 19, 2023
Time: 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. CT
In-Person: Hard Rock Hotel and Casino
777 W. Cherokee Street (Multipurpose Room)
Catoosa, OK 74015
Details: On behalf of the Secretary of Agriculture, you are cordially invited by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to participate in an upcoming joint consultation and listening session on Inclusive Competition and Market Integrity Under the Packers and Stockyards Act on Thursday, January 19, 2023, from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. CT.

This consultation and listening session will be graciously hosted by the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Tulsa (address below), with virtual attendance possible through Zoom.

We also welcome your feedback via the written comment period for this consultation. Written consultation comments may be submitted by Thursday, February 2, 2023, to s.brett.offutt@usda.gov.
Invitation Letter (PDF, 216 KB)
Proxy Letter (DOCX, 20.4 KB)
Framing Paper on Inclusive Competition and Market Integrity Under the Packers and Stockyards Act (PDF, 269 KB)

Food and Nutrition Service December Tribal Consultation on Rulemaking
Date: Tuesday, December 13, 2022
Time: 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM (EDT)
Invitation Letter (PDF, 272 KB)
FNS 101 Fact Sheets (PDF, 330 KB)
Consultation on FNS Program Rule Changes (PDF, 538 KB)
Agenda (PDF, 206 KB)
Proxy Letter (DOCX, 20.3 KB)

December 2022 FDPIR Tribal Leader Consultation Work Group Consultation
Date: Tuesday, December 6, 2022
Time: 8:30 a.m. PT – 5:00 p.m. PT

Participating In-Person
Location: 2022 Intertribal Agriculture Council Conference
Virgin Hotels Las Vegas
4455 Paradise Road, Las Vegas, NV 89169

Participating Virtually
Invitation Letter (PDF, 176 KB)
Proxy Letter (DOCX, 20.2 KB)
FDPIR December 2022 Agenda Final
Additional Handout - FDPIR Alternative System Checklist
Additional Handout - Social Security Administration Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for 2023 and It's Impacts on FDPIR
FDPIR Briefing Paper Handout - Dec. 6 Tribal Leader Consultation
FDPIR TLCWG Consultation Report Out (PDF, 386 KB)


Tribal Consultation and Listening Session on Providing Financial Assistance for Producers and Landowners Determined to Have Experienced Discrimination
Date: Tuesday, December 6, 2022
Consultation: 5:00p.m. PT-6:30p.m. PT
Listening Session: 6:30p.m. PT-8:00p.m. PT

Participating In-Person
Location: Intertribal Agriculture Council Annual Conference
Virgin Hotels Las Vegas (Room TBA)
4455 Paradise Road
Las Vegas, NV 89169

Participating Virtually
Invitation Letter (PDF, 647 KB)
Proxy Letter (DOCX, 12.9 KB)
Framing Paper: Providing Financial Assistance for Producers and Landowners Determined to Have Experienced Discrimination (PDF, 237 KB)


Consultation on Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) Renewable Energy Infrastructure Funding & Related Energy/Electric Programs
Invitation Letter (PDF, 334 KB)
Proxy Letter (DOCX, 20.3 KB)

Tribal Caucus:

  • Date: December 15, 2022
  • Time: 2:00-3:00pm EST
  • Note: Tribal caucus is an opportunity for Tribal leaders to discuss relevant consultation issues without federal policymakers online.

Tribal Consultation:

What: Food and Nutrition Service Tribal Consultation on Rulemaking
Date: Tuesday, November 8, 2022
Time: 12:00 PM – 4:30 PM (EST)
Registration Link: www.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/vJIsfuurrTMjEiQbioqvCrbzB-A3JdghdDU
Details: FNS is holding a virtual tribal consultation to receive information and provide feedback on five proposed rule revisions in the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR), Special Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), Child Nutrition Programs (CNP), and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). While it is always preferred to conduct consultation in person where we can interact face-to-face to discuss issues we are consulting on, we apologize that due to scheduling conflicts we were not able to arrange an in-person consultation at this time. For more information, please refer to the attached tribal leader invitation.
Invitation Letter (PDF, 810 KB)
Proxy Letter (PDF, 92.2 KB)

What: Tribal Consultation on the Black Hills National Forest
Date: Friday, October 7, 2022
Time: 3:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. MT
Location: Black Elk Peak Conference Room, Best Western Ramkota Hotel, 2111 N Lacrosse St, Rapid City, SD 57701
RSVP. All attendees, including those attending in person, must RSVP to the USDA
Office of Tribal Relations (OTR) at tribal.relations@usda.gov.
Agenda (PDF, 243 KB)
Invitation Letter (PDF, 322 KB)

WHCNAA Consultation on Build America, Buy American

Details: On behalf of the White House Council on Native American Affairs (WHCNAA), you are cordially invited to an interagency Tribal consultation on Wednesday, September 21, 2022, 2pm – 5pm EST, on the implementation of the Build America, Buy America (BABA) Act (Pub. L. No. 117-58, §§ 70901-52), which was enacted as part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Pub. L. No. 117-58).

BABA applies a new purchasing preference for American-made products that could significantly impact Tribal infrastructure projects. It provides that “none of the funds made available for a Federal financial assistance program for infrastructure, including each deficient program, may be obligated for a project unless all of the iron, steel, manufactured products, and construction materials used in the project are produced in the United States.”

Tribal Caucus:

Date: Wednesday, September 21, 2022 Time: 12:30p.m. ET – 1:30p.m. ET Register at: www.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/vJItcO6ppjgoHc_V5wNsj_fjmkdQAVRHSCk Note: Tribal caucus is an opportunity for Tribal leaders to discuss relevant BABA consultation issues without federal policymakers online.

 

Invitation Letter (PDF, 376 KB)

Tribal Consultation:

Date: Wednesday, September 21, 2022 Time: 2:00p.m. ET – 5:00p.m. ET Register at: www.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_Qcl_sy3bQwmD6dxmYiYkyA Note: Tribal leaders interested in participating in Tribal Caucus must also register for Tribal Consultation.

Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservation (FDPIR) Tribal Leader Consultation Work Group (TLCWG)
In-Person and Virtual Attendance Registration Link: www.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/vJIscO6qqD8sEmBKMzOX5N6gPIHhavateG4
Date: Tuesday, August 2, 2022
Time: 9:00 a.m. PT – 5:00 p.m. PT
Location: 2022 Tribal Self-Governance Conference
Hyatt Regency San Francisco Airport
1333 Bayshore Highway, Burlingame, CA 94010
Agenda (PDF, 103 KB)
August 2022 FDPIR Consultation Report Out (PDF, 805 KB)
Training Resources for Tribal Affairs Staff - Aug 2022 (PDF, 344 KB)

White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health Tribal Consultation
June 28, 2022
1:30-3:30 pm EDT
Agenda (PDF, 173 KB)
Invitation Letter (PDF, 275 KB)
Framing Paper: White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health (PDF, 361 KB)

April 2022 USDA Tribal Consultation on Barriers and Equity

These consultations are a follow up on the two consultations that occurred in March 2021 in response to President Biden’s Executive Order on Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities. There will be five consultations covering different subject matters areas at USDA. The attached agenda (PDF, 429 KB) breaks down essential information into greater depth such as the subject areas, issues involved, and the agencies involved and will additionally be posted on the OTR consultation website at: www.usda.gov/tribalrelations/tribal-consultations. Prior to each consultation, a tribal caucus will start at 2:00 pm ET. USDA staff will not participate in the tribal caucus as it is designed for tribal leaders and tribal organizations to have internal discussion. The consultation with USDA officials and tribal leaders will then take place from 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm ET. These consultations will be virtual. The consultations will be on the following days:

Economic Development
Date: Monday, April 11, 2022
Time: 2:00-3:00pm ET Tribal Caucus (hosted by NAFOA, NCAIED, and Native CDFI)
3:00-5:00pm ET Tribal Consultation
Registration Link: www.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN__aumhH76RW-qFr9GEQAIYg
Framing Paper: Economic Development (PDF, 249 KB)

Food, Safety, and Trade
Date: Tuesday, April 12, 2022
Time: 2:00-3:00pm ET Tribal Caucus (hosted by IFAI and NCAI)
3:00-5:00pm ET Tribal Consultation
Registration Link: www.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_rPrh1faMTxaQMkko7ZPSOQ
Framing Paper: Food, Safety, and Trade (PDF, 203 KB)

Farming, Ranching, and Conservation
Date: Thursday, April 14, 2022
Time: 2:00-3:00pm ET Tribal Caucus (hosted by IAC, ITBC, and NCAI)
3:00-5:00pm ET Tribal Consultation
Registration Link: www.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_CB6qpywpQ0ae7GWO-Xzvvg
Framing Paper: Farming, Ranching, and Conservation (PDF, 256 KB)

Forests & Public Lands
Date: Friday, April 15, 2022
Time: 2:00-3:00pm ET Tribal Caucus (hosted by NAFWS and ITC)
3:00-5:00pm ET Tribal Consultation
Registration Link: www.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_STUGdH2RTwGmtTg7yLAnWA
Framing Paper: Forest & Public Lands Management (PDF, 227 KB)

Education & Research
Date: Monday, April 18, 2022
Time: 2:00-3:00pm ET Tribal Caucus (hosted by AISES, AIHEC, NIEA)
3:00-5:00pm ET Tribal Consultation
Registration Link: www.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_OB8XbgDbSM6zkRZDF1yGuA
Proxy Letter (DOCX, 20.1 KB)
Invitation Letter (PDF, 177 KB)
Framing Paper: Education & Research (PDF, 202 KB)

Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations Tribal Leader Work Group Consultation

Day 1 Registration:
Zoom Registration Link: www.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/vJIsde2uqDwqH4v8MT6L0a3yfqj8g-KE3E0
Date: Tuesday, March 29, 2022
Time: 10:00 a.m. ET – 5:00 p.m. ET
Location: United States Department of Agriculture Whitten Building
Press Room 107-A
1400 Independence Ave, SW 20250

Day 2 Registration:
Zoom Registration Link: www.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/vJItf-2sqTgjH4cZ23h3I-CdzTZoamx-Bkg
Date: Wednesday, March 30, 2022
Time: 10:00 a.m. ET – 5:00 p.m. ET
Location: United States Department of Agriculture Whitten Building
Press Room 107-A
1400 Independence Ave, SW 20250
Proxy Letter (DOCX, 20.2 KB)
Invitation Letter (PDF, 170 KB)
March 2022 FDPIR Consultation Report Out (PDF, 1.3 MB)

Tribal Forum – Restoration Agreements - FSH 1509.11, Chapter 80
Date: January 13, 2022
Time: 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM ET
Registration Link: www.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/vJItfu2urj8qGYhDGxubLIy9ftmkZCqAGd8
Tribal Forum Flyer

Creating a Tribal Action Plan for Fairer Meat, Poultry, and Seafood Processing
DATE: Thursday, January 27, 2022
TIME: 3:00-5:00pm ET
ZOOM REGISTRATION: www.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/vJIsceiqrzMtHnxfTGM--uqrajqoTUEcVyc
DETAILS:
On January 3, 2022, the Biden-Harris administration announced an action plan for a fairer, more resilient meat and poultry supply chain. Of the approximately $800 million available at USDA, a significant investment could be made to support the development and expansion of Meat, Poultry, and Seafood Processing infrastructure in Indian Country. What should that look like? What do you need?

USDA seeks to consult with Tribal Leaders and hear from Tribal enterprises on new funding opportunities to Expand independent processing capacity and Support workers and the independent processor industry. This announcement builds on a July 2021 Executive Order on Promoting Competition in the American Economy to create a fairer, more resilient, and more dynamic economy.
Consultation and Listening Session (PDF, 221 KB)

Tribal Forum – Forest Service Climate Adaptation Plan
Date: December 17, 2021
Time: 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM ET
Registration Link: www.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/vJItf-uqqjIiEsuF7nJAthBTBYLrZ1ybGhE
Tribal Forum Flyer
Briefing Paper

Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations Tribal Leader Work Group Consultation
Date: Tuesday, December 7, 2021
Time: 1:00pm PT – 6:00pm PT
Location: Virgin Hotels Las Vegas
4455 Paradise Road
Las Vegas, NV 89169
Room: Sage 1
Meeting Link: Zoom
Call-In Number: 16692545252
Call-In ID: 161 954 6382
Meeting Notes (PDF, 516 KB)

Water and Wastewater Environmental Programs Tribal Consultation
Dates: November 30, 2021 & December 1, 2021
Time: 1:00 -2:30 pm ET
Invitation Letter (PDF, 172 KB)

Tribal Consultation on Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women,
Infants, and Children (WIC) Rules
Date: Tuesday, November 30, 2021
Time: 12:30 PM ET – 2:30 PM ET
Handout A (PDF, 152 KB)
Handout B (PDF, 170 KB)
Handout C (PDF, 328 KB)
Meeting Notes (PDF, 475 KB)

Small Ruminants Tribal Consultation
Date: November 1, 2021
Time: 1:00 – 3:00 pm ET
Zoom Link

Standards for Humane Care and Handling of Birds Covered Under the Animal Welfare Act Tribal Consultation
Date: November 4, 2021
Time: 1:00 – 3:00 pm ET
Registration Link
Invitation Letter (PDF, 219 KB)

Tribal Leaders Consultation Working Group (TLCWG) on FDPIR Consultation
Date: August 11, 2021
Time: 1:00 – 5:00 PM ET
Virtual Link: Consultation Zoom Link
Call-In Line: Meeting ID: 160 150 5511
Passcode: Tribal One tap mobile
+16692545252,,1601505511# US (San Jose)
+16468287666,,1601505511# US (New York)
Invitation Letter
Proxy Letter (PDF, 52.3 KB)
Agenda
August 2021 FDPIR Consultation Report Out (PDF, 477 KB)

July 6, 2021
FDPIR Tribal Leader Consultation Working Group Consultation
Invitation Letter
Proxy Letter (PDF, 88.3 KB)
July 2021 FDPIR Consultation Report Out (PDF, 410 KB)

March 9 and March 11, 2021
USDA Consultation on Consultations and Racial Equity
Memorandum of Tribal Consultation
Executive Order on Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities
USDA DR Tribal Consultation, Coordination, and Collaboration (PDF, 178 KB)
USDA Tribal Consultation Plan
Racial Equity Consultation Proxy Letter (PDF, 88.1 KB)
Executive Order 13175 - Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments
Consultation on Racial Equity Invitation
Agenda - Consultations on Racial Equity
Framing Paper 1
Framing Paper 2
ARS Tribal Information

February 25, 2021
Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) Consultation
2021 FEB. FDPIR Consultation Invitation (PDF, 139 KB)
2021 FEB. FDPIR Consultation Proxy Letter (PDF, 88.2 KB)
2021 FEB. FDPIR Consultation Agenda

January 21, 2021
Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) 638 Demonstration Project Webinar
Recording

October 28, 2020
FDPIR 638 Demonstration Project Consultation
2020 OCT. FDPIR Consultation Invitation (PDF, 233 KB)
2020 OCT. FDPIR Consultation Proxy Letter Template (PDF, 63.1 KB)
2020 OCT. FDPIR Consultation Agenda (PDF, 129 KB)
2020 OCT. FDPIR Consultation Crosswalk (PDF, 131 KB)
2020 OCT. FDPIR Consultation Criteria Handout (PDF, 192 KB)
2020 OCT. FDPIR Report Out

September 24, 2020
USDA Industrial Hemp Interim Final Rule Consultation
Establishment of a Domestic Hemp Production Program; Comment Period Reopened
2020 Hemp Consultation Invitation
2020 Hemp Consultation Proxy Letter Template (PDF, 67.6 KB)
2020 Industrial Hemp Consultation Agenda (PDF, 116 KB)

July 15, 2020
USDA Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) Consultation
Tribal Leader Invitation (PDF, 176 KB)
Tribal Leader Proxy Letter Template (PDF, 88.2 KB)
Draft Criteria - FDPIR Self-Determination Demonstration Project (PDF, 173 KB)
July 2020 FDPIR Consultation Report Out (PDF, 232 KB)

February 13, 2020
USDA Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) Tribal Leaders Consultation
FEB 2020 FDPIR Consultation Report Out (PDF, 253 KB)

December 11, 2019
Industrial Hemp, Las Vegas, NV
Industrial Hemp Consultation Invitation (PDF, 682 KB)
Industrial Hemp Consultation Proxy Letter (PDF, 129 KB)

December 10, 2019
Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) Tribal Leader Work Group Consultation, Las Vegas, NV
FDPIR Consultation Tribal Leader Letter (PDF, 572 KB)
FDPIR Consultation Proxy Letter (PDF, 69.0 KB)

June 26, 2019
2018 Farm Bill Implementation Tribal Consultation and Listening Session, Sparks, NV
USDA 2018 Farm Bill Consultation Agenda (PDF, 82.6 KB)
USDA 2018 Farm Bill Tribal Consultation Invitation (PDF, 1.1 MB)
Farm Bill Consultation Proxy Letter (PDF, 27.9 KB)

June 10, 2019
Food Distribution on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) Tribal Leader Work Group Consultation, Choctaw, MS
FDPIR Final Agenda (PDF, 184 KB)
Invitation to Tribal Leaders (PDF, 509 KB)
FDPIR Consultation Proxy Letter (PDF, 19.9 KB)

May 1-2, 2019
2018 Farm Bill Implementation Tribal Consultation, Washington, DC
2018 Farm Bill and Legislative Principles
Summary side-by-side comparison
USDA 2018 Farm Bill Tribal Consultation Invitation (PDF, 550 KB)
May 2019 USDA Farm Bill Consultation Agenda (PDF, 155 KB)

February 14, 2019
Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) Tribal Leaders Consultation Work Group (PDF, 434 KB)

June 11, 2018
Food Distribution on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) Tribal Consultation Invitation (PDF, 760 KB) | FDPIR Tribal Consultation Agenda (PDF, 198 KB)

May 14-15, 2018
Invitation to New Mexico 2018 Farm Bill Consultation (PDF, 515 KB) | Agenda for New Mexico 2018 Farm Bill Consultation (PDF, 347 KB)

October 19, 2017
Deputy Secretary Censky Consulting on USDA Reorganization in Milwaukee, WI (PDF, 118 KB)


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