Tribal Forum
Elevating Tribal Voices: Importance of Tribal Comment Letters
The NAEPC Board of Directors directed its staff to monitor both State and Federal proposed Policy Changes that may impact tribal consultation, limit protection of tribal lands and people, impact to Tribal cultural and traditional areas, halt access to Oceans, Streams and Rivers, reduce safety of Water, Air and Lands and cause failure to the Federal Fiduciary Responsibilities maintained by Agencies of the Administration.
Tribal comment letter may not receive a direct response. However, tribal comment letters the continue to uphold the status of Tribes as Sovereign Nations. Letters service as important reminders to the Federal Agencies of their fiduciary responsibilities to Tribes. It also ensures Executive Orders like 13175 remain an influential tool in policy implementation.
Tribal comment letters are useful to document Tribal voice in identifying concerns and impacts that may later necessitate other actions such as legislation and litigation. Tribal letters uphold longstanding legislative and judicial actions that support Tribal Sovereignty.
Felix S. Cohen, “The Grandfather of Indian Law” likened Tribes to the “Miner’s Canary” providing the significance of preserving American Indian rights to potential of rights of all humans. Success in preserving and responding to Tribal needs and concerns can be inferred to other areas and can be a test of overall health of America in its adherence to its Constitution, legislation, and judicial actions resulting in regulations that have a positive or negative impact on all humans.
NAEPC received a donation from the Native Americans in Philanthropy to uplift Tribal voices on regulatory changes that Tribes identify as potential threats to their cultural, traditions and people. Below is are letters your tribe may download and use at your convenience. Remember, Tribes are not “Public” and therefore NAEPC believes “Public Comment” timelines do not apply.