American Indian and Alaska Native Program
Background
USDA strives to create a culture that encourages collaboration, flexibility, and fairness that enables employees to participate to their fullest potential. The American Indian (AI) and Alaskan Native (AN) Program helps the Department to achieve this goal by addressing potential discriminatory and/or inequitable practices in hiring and employment and eliminating barriers to full participation for AI/AN employees in the workplace.
The AI/AN Program aids the Department in attaining a diverse, qualified workforce to fulfill the goals outlined in Executive Order 13583, Establishing a Coordinated Government-wide Initiative to Promote Diversity and Inclusion in the Federal Workforce and Executive Order 11478, Equal Employment Opportunity in the Federal Government.
The Department places a high priority on respecting the government-to-government relationship between the Federal government and the federally recognized AI/AN tribes and their unique sovereign status.
The United States of America was founded on an idea: that all of us are created equal and deserve equal treatment, equal dignity, and equal opportunity throughout our lives. Throughout our history — though we have always strived to live up to that idea and have never walked away from it — the fact remains that we have fallen short many times. Far too often in our founding era and in the centuries since, the promise of our Nation has been denied to Native Americans who have lived on this land since time immemorial.
Despite a painful history marked by unjust Federal policies of assimilation and termination, American Indian and Alaska Native peoples have persevered. During National Native American Heritage Month, we celebrate the countless contributions of Native peoples past and present, honor the influence they have had on the advancement of our Nation, and recommit ourselves to upholding trust and treaty responsibilities, strengthening Tribal sovereignty, and advancing Tribal self-determination.
Guidance and Regulations
Executive Order 13583, Establishing a Coordinated Government-wide Initiative to Promote Diversity and Inclusion in the Federal Workforce, August 18, 2011
Executive Order 13592, Improving American Indian and Alaska Native Educational Opportunities and Strengthening Tribal Colleges and Universities, December 2, 2011
Executive Order 11478, Equal employment opportunity in the Federal Government
29 Code of Federal Regulation, Part 1614.102(b)(4), Federal implementation of the Civil Rights Act
Executive Order 13175, Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments
Executive Order 13562, Recruiting and Hiring Students and Recent Graduates, December 27, 2010
