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NOVEMBER 1, 2000

The Department of Energy is revising its tribal policies, promising to engage in tribal consultation, protect tribal resources, and uphold treaty rights.

But tribal leaders in Washington, where Secretary of Energy Bill Richardson announced the policy, say the DOE has to live up to its word before they believe them.

An executive order issued in 1998 directs government agencies to develop government-to-government policies with tribes. Many agencies have done so since then, either implementing new policies or revising old ones, but tribal leaders have expressed concerns about how they have been carried out.

The DOE earlier this year signed an agreement to return 84,000 acres of land to the Northern Ute Tribe of Utah and to clean up a uranium waste site in the state. President Clinton signed a bill on Monday making the transfer and agreement into law.

Get the Story:
Energy chief promises a new deal for Indians (The Seattle Post-Intelligencer 11/1)

Relevant Links:
The Department of Energy - www.energy.gov
Executive Order 13804, Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments - www.usdoj.gov/otj/presdoc3.htm

Related Stories:
Land returned to Ute Tribe (Tribal Law 11/1)
Leaders discuss NAGPRA (Indian U. 7/27)
FCC embraces sovereignty (Tech 06/09)