Bison's Homecoming to Tribal Land

A major milestone in restoring a critical species to the landscape and restoring a people’s culture and heritage was achieved  when 10 wild bison were released on the Wind River Reservation. It’s the first time in 131 years that wild bison have rumbled across the tribal lands.

“Our success here is based in mutual respect and trust forged over decades of successful collaborative wildlife conservation.  We look forward to more opportunities to work together for the benefit of the people and wildlife of Wind River,” said Matt Hogan, Deputy Regional Director, Mountain-Prairie Region of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Read the full story. 

Actions of Interest

• Revised Permitting, Monitoring Requirements for Eagle Take. Read
  
  
• Revisions to Candidate Conservation Agreements with Assurances policy under the Endangered Species Act. Read
  
  
• Standards to Offset Impacts of Development on America’s Most At-Risk Species. Read
  
  
• Wolverine Initiation of Status Review. Read
  
  
• New Policy on Mitigating Impacts of Development to Further Conservation of Nation’s Wildlife and their Habitats. Read
  
  
• Improvements to 50-Year-old Regulations Governing Oil and Gas Development on Refuge Lands. Read

Summer Job Opportunities!

For students and recent grads! The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Office of Trust Services (OTS) seeks scientists and technicians in a range of STEM-related disciplines to protect, conserve, utilize, and manage Indian forest and agricultural lands and resources, including water and power. Apply to the Pathways Program. View the USA Jobs page or the BIA Pathways page.

Follow the Tribal Program's Facebook Page

Sign up for "Tracks Tribal News" via GovDelivery here. 

New Secretarial Order to Encourage Tribal Role in Managing Interior Lands

This Secretarial Order reflects the Obama Administration’s deep commitment to strengthen respect between the United States government and Native American and Alaska Native leaders and communities while boosting our efforts to increase tribal self-determination and self-governance,” said Secretary Jewell. “This kind of collaboration with tribal nations will help ensure that we’re appropriately and genuinely integrating indigenous expertise, experience and perspectives into the management of public lands.”
Read the rest.

Stocking Trout for Tribes

The lakes on the Rosebud Indian Reservation in South Dakota are stocked with rainbow and brown trout, thanks to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's (Service) Great Plains Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office (FWCO) in Pierre, South Dakota. With help from the D.C. Booth National Fish Hatchery, the fish were available for stocking lakes on the Reservation in the spring and fall. The Service also partnered with the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Game, Fish and Parks Department to conduct fisheries surveys to monitor fish populations and evaluate management needs. The Great Plains FWCO provides assistance for six different tribes located throughout South Dakota and Kansas.

National Native American Heritage Month 

November was National Native American Heritage month – a time when we highlight and celebrate the rich and diverse indigenous cultures, traditions and important contributions of the Native people and continue to strengthen our commitment to honor our special government-to-government relationship with these sovereign nations.  

The Mountain-Prairie region is home to 39 Tribes who manage 23 million acres of diverse landscapes and have contributed greatly to the conservation of fish, wildlife, and habitats since time immemorial.  

As President Obama noted in his  Proclamation for National Native American Heritage Month, 2016:"

American Indians and Alaska Natives enrich every aspect of our country. As the first to live on this land, Native Americans and their traditions and values inspired -- and continue to inspire -- the ideals of self-governance and determination that are the framework of our Nation."