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The National Park Service (NPS) is a bureau within the Department of the Interior (DOI). The NPS manages more than 400 national parks and 100 related areas, as well as many programs that reach across the United States and the world. The Office of Native American Affairs (ONAA), within the Office of the Director of the NPS, strengthens relationships with Native American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, and Alaska Native communities.
The ONAA’s primary responsibilities are highlighted below:
Represents NPS Tribal and Indigenous Relations
The ONAA serves as a point of contact for Tribes, Indigenous peoples, regions, parks, and programs on tribal self governance topics and funding agreements under the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (ISDEAA). Since 2011, approximately $27 million has been provided through annual funding agreements with self governance Tribes to accomplish maintenance, resource management, interpretation, and youth program activities in associated national parks.
There are currently 574 federally recognized Tribes. There are 202 Tribal Historic Preservation Offices that have entered into an agreement with the NPS. Find more information about the Tribal Historic Preservation Program.
Policy Development and Implementation
The ONAA develops NPS-wide guidance, and reviews proposed policy and legislation to advise and support the NPS Director, regional offices, and individual parks on issues that impact Native American, Alaska Native, Pacific Islander, and Native Hawaiian communities.
In addition, the ONAA collaborates with other Department of Interior bureaus to develop Department-wide and government-wide guidance on issues involving tribal governments. ONAA also participates in international efforts to join with Indigenous peoples to achieve common natural resource and cultural heritage preservation goals.
Tribal Consultation
The Native American Affairs Liaison is primarily responsible to ensure the NPS meets the requirements set out in the DOI Policy on Consultation with Indian Tribes. The ONAA works closely with tribal liaisons and tribal affairs staff in regions, parks, and programs to improve and support active tribal consultation. Consultations with Native Hawaiian organizations and Pacific Islander communities were also undertaken. In fiscal years 2018-2019, the NPS reported 3,531 tribal consultations with 237 Tribes, 34 Alaska Native Villages, and 13 Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act corporations. The NPS currently supports 56 agreements with Tribes, with 17 others being reviewed for finalization.
Find contact information for your National Park Service tribal liaison.
Consultation on Development of an Agency Request for a Program Comment for Stewardship and Management of National Park Service Mission 66-Era Facilities (1945-1972)
The NPS is developing an agency request for a Program Comment for Stewardship and Management of National Park Service Mission 66-Era Facilities (1945-1972), and is consulting on an outline/plan, which is available on the agency’s Planning, Environment, and Public Comment (PEPC) site: ParkPlanning - Mission 66 Program Comment (nps.gov). The outline/plan describes the substantive content of this proposed alternative path to compliance with the National Historic Preservation Act for certain undertakings at NPS Mission 66-Era Facilities (1945-1972). It also lists proposed prohibitions on the use of the Program Comment, such as for undertakings planned to occur on or that may affect: Tribal lands; properties of religious and cultural significance to Indian and Alaska Native Tribes or Native Hawaiians; burial sites; human remains; funerary objects; and/or, battlefield areas which are listed in or eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. All comments received during consultation will inform the nature and scope of the NPS agency request to the ACHP, which the NPS plans to submit to the ACHP in 2024. Please go to the PEPC website to find out more ParkPlanning - Mission 66 Program Comment (nps.gov).
NPS will host three (3) virtual consultation meetings on the outline/plan to provide background and an opportunity for discussion. As with the first round of consultation, on this effort, which occurred in December 2023, NPS will track comments and share summaries with Indian and Alaska Native Tribes, the Native Hawaiian Community, and consulting parties on PEPC. Please register in advance for any consultation meeting you plan to attend.
NPS Mission 66-Era Facility Program Comment Consultation - General Meeting
Friday, May 10, 2024
3:00-5:00 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time
https://events.gcc.teams.microsoft.com/event/d66d8d0f-0f3c-4fb3-935f-890673eab104@0693b5ba-4b18-4d7b-9341-f32f400a5494
NPS Mission 66-Era Facility Program Comment Consultation - Meeting with Indian and Alaska Native Tribes and the Native Hawaiian Community
Tuesday, May 21, 2024
3:00-5:00 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time
https://events.gcc.teams.microsoft.com/event/755b79eb-7cc8-4bd0-8aa3-0ad592c80c11@0693b5ba-4b18-4d7b-9341-f32f400a5494
NPS Mission 66-Era Facility Program Comment Consultation - Meeting with State Historic Preservation Officers and Consulting Parties
Thursday, May 23, 2024
3:00-5:00 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time
https://events.gcc.teams.microsoft.com/event/adcdeac5-9fca-4fad-bdc3-7c9e4ac8e888@0693b5ba-4b18-4d7b-9341-f32f400a5494
If you wish to submit written comments on the outline/plan, NPS requests they are received by June 24, 2024. Please send your comments by electronic mail to: e-mail us or via the PEPC project website at: https://parkplanning.nps.gov/mission_66_program_comment. Please contact David Louter, PhD., Deputy Associate Director, Park Programs and Heritage Areas at e-mail us if you have any questions.
Find information about additional upcoming consultations at DOI
Find transcripts, schedules and other resources from past consultations at DOI.
Consultation on Development of an Agency Request for a Program Comment for Regular Maintenance, Capital Projects, and Leasing at National Park Service Mission 66-Era Facilities (1945-1972)
The NPS developed a Program Comment conceptual overview, which summarizes its proposed application to provide an alternative path to compliance with the National Historic Preservation Act for NPS Mission 66-Era Facilities (1945-1972). It also lists proposed prohibitions on the use of the Program Comment, such as for undertakings planned to occur on or that may affect: Tribal lands; properties of religious and cultural significance to Indian and Alaska Native Tribes or Native Hawaiians; burial sites; human remains; funerary objects; and/or, battlefield areas which are listed in or eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. All comments received during consultation will inform the nature and scope of the NPS agency request to the ACHP, which the NPS plans to submit to the ACHP in 2024. Please go to the website to find out more ParkPlanning - Mission 66 Program Comment (nps.gov).
Consultation on Tribal Plant Gathering in National Parks
Find detailed information, including a briefing statement, guide to the plant gathering regulation, consulation letters, the consultation slide deck, and how to submit written comments. Written comments are requested by July 31, 2023.
Review a draft of the Indian Youth Service Corps Guidelines (852KB PDF).
The NPS follows DOI's Tribal Consultation Policy. DOI consulted with Tribal leaders to improve our consultation process, identify best practices, and strengthen our relationship with Tribal governments. Learn more about the DOI Tribal Consultation Policy. View the Detailed Plan for Improving Interior’s Implementation of E.O. 13175.
Find resources for Tribal Consultation that relate to DOI-managed lands and programs, including memoranda, executive summaries, reports, studies, plans, and other resources.
Last updated: April 22, 2024