{"id":18281,"date":"2021-11-18T17:00:38","date_gmt":"2021-11-18T22:00:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.indianz.com\/News\/?p=18281"},"modified":"2021-11-18T17:26:38","modified_gmt":"2021-11-18T22:26:38","slug":"virginia-governor-adopts-formal-tribal-consultation-policy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/2021\/11\/18\/virginia-governor-adopts-formal-tribal-consultation-policy\/","title":{"rendered":"Virginia governor adopts formal tribal consultation policy"},"content":{"rendered":" \"Ralph<\/a>
Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam (D) issued a statement<\/a> and proclamation in honor of National Native American Heritage Month<\/a> on November 1, 2021, Photo: Gov. Ralph Northam<\/a><\/figcaption>\r\n
Governor Northam Directs State Agencies to Consult with Tribal Nations, Affirming the Commonwealth\u2019s Commitment to Government- to-Government Cooperation<\/div>\r\n
EO 82 requires formal tribal consultation on state environmental and historic protection permit<\/div>\r\n
Thursday, November 18, 2021<\/div>\r\n
Indianz.Com<\/div>\r\n

<\/p>\r\nThe following is the text of a November 18, 2021, news release from Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam<\/a> (D).<\/em>\r\n

<\/p>\r\nRICHMOND, Virginia — Governor Ralph Northam today directed state permitting agencies to consult with Tribal Nations when evaluating applications for state permits that protect environmental, historic, and cultural resources. The action is designed to help identify any potential environmental or cultural concerns for the tribes regarding the proposed development projects.\r\n

<\/p>\r\nExecutive Order 82<\/a> ensures the Commonwealth provides opportunities for meaningful and culturally appropriate, written consultation with Tribal Nations when evaluating certain state permit applications for activities with potential impacts to environmental, cultural, and historic resources.\r\n

<\/p>\r\nThe Executive Order directs the Secretary of the Commonwealth to designate an ombudsman to work with Tribal Nations and the relevant state agencies. The Department of Conservation and Recreation, the Department of Environmental Quality, the Department of Historic Resources, and the Virginia Marine Resources Commission are directed to establish a Tribal Consultation policy within 90 days to ensure an opportunity for meaningful and timely input by Tribal representatives for the permits and reviews listed in this order.\r\n

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virgniaeo82<\/a><\/div>\r\n<\/div><\/div>\r\n

<\/P>\r\n\u201cThe Commonwealth has an important and unique government-to-government relationship with Virginia\u2019s Tribal Nations,\u201d said Governor Ralph Northam. \u201cIn recent years, we have worked to address past wrongs and strengthen our relationships with Virginia\u2019s Tribes. Tribal Nations have always been integral to the cultural and historic fabric of Virginia, and this order is among the first steps that will affirm tribal sovereignty and enhance relationships between our governments.\u201d\r\n

<\/P>\r\nGovernor Northam joined with the Chiefs of the seven federally acknowledged Tribal Nations indigenous to Virginia, including the Chickahominy Indian Tribe, Chickahominy Indian Tribe – Eastern Division, Monacan Indian Nation, Nansemond Indian Nation, Pamunkey Indian Tribe, Rappahannock Tribe, and Upper Mattaponi Indian Tribe, as well as leaders of the Department of Conservation and Recreation, the Department of Environmental Quality, the Department of Historic Resources, and the Virginia Marine Resources Commission to sign this Executive Order.\r\n

<\/P>\r\n\u201cWe thank Governor Northam for his leadership and look forward to working with Virginia\u2019s next Governor to build on this common-sense approach to dialogue between our governments,\u201d said Chief Stephen Adkins of the Chickahominy Indian Tribe.\r\n

<\/p>\r\n\u201cThis order helps advance the relationship between the Commonwealth and our tribes, after the United States recognized our sovereignty in 2018, and affirms the Commonwealth\u2019s obligations under treaties stretching back more than 300 years,\u201d said Anne Richardson, Chief of the Rappahannock Tribe.\r\n

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\n\t\t\n\t\t\tGovernor Ralph Northam (@VAGovernor73) on X\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/div>\n\t
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November is Native American Heritage Month, a time to recognize the first people of Virginia, and celebrate the many ways in which Virginia Indian tribes strengthen and enrich our communities and our Commonwealth. https:\/\/t.co\/MMnZ0uYOCb<\/p>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/div>\n\t

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<\/p>\r\n\u201cThis executive order is an historic step forward in advancing the government-to-government\r\nrelationship between Tribal Nations and states in this country, and we applaud Governor\r\nNortham\u2019s bold and courageous leadership for honoring tribal sovereignty and the inherent right\r\nto free, prior, and informed consent,\u201d said Fawn Sharp, President of the National Congress of\r\nAmerican Indians.\r\n

<\/P>\r\n\u201cWe are glad to see Virginia taking proactive steps to appropriately respect and acknowledge the inherent sovereign rights and authorities of Tribal Nations. Their efforts to establish processes for meaningful consultation and, ultimately, securing Tribal Nation consent, should serve as a model for other states considering how to strengthen their relationships with Tribal Nations\u201d said Kitcki Carroll, Executive Director of United South and Eastern Tribes Sovereignty Protection Fund.\r\n

<\/P>\r\n\u201cI look forward to working with my colleagues in the General Assembly to build on this Executive Order, which simply respects the sovereignty of these Tribal Nations,\u201d said Delegate Paul Krizek.\r\n

<\/P>\r\n\u201cThe Tribes are important partners for economic development in the Commonwealth,\u201d said Congressman Rob Wittman. \u201cThey are bringing medical clinics, broadband, and job opportunities. This order reflects that partnership by recognizing their voices in projects that impact them.\u201d\r\n

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