{"id":18100,"date":"2021-11-15T13:17:51","date_gmt":"2021-11-15T18:17:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.indianz.com\/News\/?p=18100"},"modified":"2021-11-16T14:19:41","modified_gmt":"2021-11-16T19:19:41","slug":"biden-administration-launches-tribal-homelands-initiative-for-co-stewardship-of-federal-lands-and-waters","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/2021\/11\/15\/biden-administration-launches-tribal-homelands-initiative-for-co-stewardship-of-federal-lands-and-waters\/","title":{"rendered":"Biden administration launches ‘Tribal Homelands Initiative’ for co-stewardship of federal lands and waters"},"content":{"rendered":"\"Moncure<\/a>
The Moncure Tipi is a landmark building that stands along Montana Highway 212 on the southwestern edge of the small community of Busby, Montana. The historic structure was used by the Northern Cheyenne Tribe for events and ceremonies, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Photo: Lance Cheung \/ USDA<\/a><\/figcaption>\r\n
Interior and Agriculture Departments Take Action to Strengthen Tribal Co-Stewardship of Public Lands and Waters<\/div>\r\n
Tribal Homelands Initiative will incorporate Tribal capacity, expertise, Indigenous knowledge into federal land and resources management<\/div>\r\n
Monday, November 15, 2021<\/div>\r\n
Indianz.Com<\/div>\r\n

<\/p>\r\nThe following is the text of a November 15, 2021, news release from the Department of the Interior<\/a>.<\/em>\r\n

<\/p>\r\nWASHINGTON, D.C. — During today\u2019s White House Tribal Nations Summit, President Biden announced that the U.S. Departments of the Interior and Agriculture have created the \u201cTribal Homelands Initiative.\u201d This collaborative effort will improve federal stewardship of public lands, waters, and wildlife by strengthening the role of Tribal communities in federal land management. Through a joint Secretarial Order (Order)<\/a>, the two Departments codified a policy to facilitate agreements with Tribes to collaborate in the co-stewardship of federal lands and waters.\r\n

<\/p>\r\nThe Departments also committed to ensuring that all decisions relating to federal stewardship of lands, waters, and wildlife include consideration of how to safeguard the treaty, spiritual, subsistence, and cultural interests of any Indian Tribes. The Order additionally directs the Departments to ensure that Tribal governments play an integral role in decision-making related to the management of federal lands and waters through consultation, capacity-building, and other means consistent with applicable authority.\r\n

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doi-usda-so-3403<\/a><\/div>\r\n<\/div><\/div>\r\n

<\/p>\r\n\u201cFrom growing crops and taming wildfires to managing drought and famine, our ancestors have spent millennia using nature-based approaches to coexist among our lands, waters, wildlife, and their habitats. As Tribal communities continue to face the effects of climate change, this knowledge \u2013 which has been passed down since time immemorial \u2013 will benefit the Department\u2019s efforts to bolster community resilience and protect Indigenous communities,\u201d said Interior Secretary Deb Haaland. \u201cBy acknowledging and treating Tribes as partners in co-stewardship of our lands and waters, we will undoubtedly strengthen our federal land and resources management.\u201d\r\n

<\/p>\r\n\u201cWe are committed to the values of equity and inclusion rooted in justice and equal opportunity for those we serve,\u201d said U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. \u201cShared stewardship of land management is a priority for USDA, and an important part of our responsibility to tribal nations. Management challenges like extreme wildfires, severe drought and invasive species do not recognize borders or boundary lines. Through shared stewardship, USDA Forest Service is coming together with tribal governments, states, and other partners to address these challenges and explore opportunities to improve forest health and resiliency.\u201d\r\n

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