For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
September 23, 2004
Memorandum for the Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies
Government-to-Government Relationship with Tribal Governments
The United States has a unique legal and political relationship with Indian
tribes and a special relationship with Alaska Native entities as provided in
the Constitution of the United States, treaties, and Federal statutes.
Presidents for decades have recognized this relationship. President Nixon
announced a national policy of self-determination for Indian tribes in 1970.
More recently, Executive Order 13175, entitled Consultation and Coordination
with Indian Tribal Governments, was issued in 2000. I reiterated my
Administration's adherence to a government-to-government relationship and
support for tribal sovereignty and self-determination earlier this year in
Executive Order 13336, entitled American Indian and Alaska Native Education.
My
Administration is committed to continuing to work with federally recognized
tribal governments on a government-to-government basis and strongly supports
and respects tribal sovereignty and self-determination for tribal governments
in the United States. I take pride in acknowledging and reaffirming the
existence and durability of our unique government-to-government relationship
and these abiding principles.
This commitment begins at the White House, where my Director of
Intergovernmental Affairs serves as my White House liaison with all Indian
nations and works with federally recognized tribal governments on an
intergovernmental basis. Moreover, it is critical that all departments and
agencies adhere to these principles and work with tribal governments in a
manner that cultivates mutual respect and fosters greater understanding to
reinforce these principles.
Accordingly, the head of each executive department and agency (agency)
shall continue to ensure to the greatest extent practicable and as permitted by
United States law that the agency's working relationship with federally
recognized tribal governments fully respects the rights of self-government and
self-determination due tribal governments. Department or agency inquiries
regarding this memorandum, specifically those related to regulatory,
legislative, or budgetary issues, should be directed to the Office of
Management and Budget.
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,
benefit, or trust responsibility, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law
or in equity, by a party against the United States, its agencies, entities, or
instrumentalities, its officers or employees, or any other person.
GEORGE W. BUSH
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