Tribal Nations

Tribal Lands in the Northwestern Division

Map of the Northwestern Division including the northwestern United States from Minnesota west to Washinton state and south to Oregon and Missouri. The Seattle, Portland, Walla Walla, Omaha, and Kansas CIty Districts boundaries are shaded and the military mission boundaries our outlined in burgundy. Tribal liands are marked in pink. Also visible is a portion of the St. Paul, Rock Island and St. Louis Districts as well as Lakes Superior and Michigan.

There are more than 100 federally-recognized Tribal Nations who have inhabited the lands overlapping the Northwestern Division of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers area of responsibility.

The Northwestern Division has established a full-time Tribal Liaison to oversee the USACE interface with Tribes, ensure adherence to Tribal Policy Principles, and facilitate effective and meaningful government-to-government interaction. The Division Tribal Liaison provides guidance and support to Tribal Liaisons in each of the Division's five District offices.

The United States Government has a unique legal relationship with Tribal Nations. The relationship is defined by treaties, statutes, Executive Orders, court decisions, and the U.S. Constitution. Within this legal framework, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers interacts with Tribes on a government-to-government level.

We coordinate, consult, and work with Tribes on a multitude of projects and issues. Cultural resources management and protection, fish and wildlife conservation and restoration, access to sacred sites, water resource development, flood damage reduction, permitting actions, and environmental restoration are just some of the areas in which USACE has an obligation to consult, or works directly in partnership with tribes.

In undertaking any action which may impact tribal rights or interests, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is guided by the following six principles:

  • Recognition of Tribal Sovereignty
  • Fulfillment of Federal Trust Responsibilities to Tribes
  • Interaction on a Government-to-Government Basis
  • Pre-Decisional, Open, and Honest Consultation
  • Support for Tribal Self Reliance, Capacity Building, and Growth
  • Preservation and Protection of Natural and Cultural Resources

Tribal and Cultural Policy and Guidance

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U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Tribal Policy Principles.  Policy Guidance Letter No. 57(18 Feb 1998)

Northwestern Division Regulation 5-1-1 Provides information on specific Northwestern Division projects and initiatives involving tribes.