[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 85 (Wednesday, May 4, 1994)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 22951-22952]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-10877]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: May 4, 1994]
Presidential Documents
Federal Register
Vol. 59, No. 85
Wednesday, May 4, 1994
____________________________________________________________________
Title 3--
The President
Memorandum of April 29, 1994
Government-to-Government Relations With Native
American Tribal Governments
Memorandum for the Heads of Executive Departments and
Agencies
The United States Government has a unique legal
relationship with Native American tribal governments as
set forth in the Constitution of the United States,
treaties, statutes, and court decisions. As executive
departments and agencies undertake activities affecting
Native American tribal rights or trust resources, such
activities should be implemented in a knowledgeable,
sensitive manner respectful of tribal sovereignty.
Today, as part of an historic meeting, I am outlining
principles that executive departments and agencies,
including every component bureau and office, are to
follow in their interactions with Native American
tribal governments. The purpose of these principles is
to clarify our responsibility to ensure that the
Federal Government operates within a government-to-
government relationship with federally recognized
Native American tribes. I am strongly committed to
building a more effective day-to-day working
relationship reflecting respect for the rights of self-
government due the sovereign tribal governments.
In order to ensure that the rights of sovereign tribal
governments are fully respected, executive branch
activities shall be guided by the following:
(a) The head of each executive department and
agency shall be responsible for ensuring that the
department or agency operates within a government-to-
government relationship with federally recognized
tribal governments.
(b) Each executive department and agency shall
consult, to the greatest extent practicable and to the
extent permitted by law, with tribal governments prior
to taking actions that affect federally recognized
tribal governments. All such consultations are to be
open and candid so that all interested parties may
evaluate for themselves the potential impact of
relevant proposals.
(c) Each executive department and agency shall
assess the impact of Federal Government plans,
projects, programs, and activities on tribal trust
resources and assure that tribal government rights and
concerns are considered during the development of such
plans, projects, programs, and activities.
(d) Each executive department and agency shall take
appropriate steps to remove any procedural impediments
to working directly and effectively with tribal
governments on activities that affect the trust
property and/or governmental rights of the tribes.
(e) Each executive department and agency shall work
cooperatively with other Federal departments and
agencies to enlist their interest and support in
cooperative efforts, where appropriate, to accomplish
the goals of this memorandum.
(f) Each executive department and agency shall
apply the requirements of Executive Orders Nos. 12875
(``Enhancing the Intergovernmental Partnership'') and
12866 (``Regulatory Planning and Review'') to design
solutions and tailor Federal programs, in appropriate
circumstances, to address specific or unique needs of
tribal communities.
The head of each executive department and agency shall
ensure that the department or agency's bureaus and
components are fully aware of this memorandum, through
publication or other means, and that they are in
compliance with its requirements.
This memorandum is intended only to improve the
internal management of the executive branch and is not
intended to, and does not, create any right to
administrative or judicial review, or any other right
or benefit or trust responsibility, substantive or
procedural, enforceable by a party against the United
States, its agencies or instrumentalities, its officers
or employees, or any other person.
The Director of the Office of Management and Budget is
authorized and directed to publish this memorandum in
the Federal Register.
(Presidential Sig.)>
THE WHITE HOUSE,
Washington, April 29, 1994.
[FR Doc. 94-10877
Filed 5-2-94; 3:49 pm]
Billing code 3110-01-M
