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 and its district have established full-time Tribal Liaisons 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 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recognizes the sovereign status of American Indian and Alaska Native Tribal Governments (Tribes), and our legal obligation for meaningful pre-decisional consultation on our activities. 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. Consultation is defined in the USACE Tribal Consultation Policy as, “Open, timely, meaningful, collaborative and effective deliberative communication process that emphasizes trust, respect and shared responsibility. To the extent practicable and permitted by law, consultation works toward mutual consensus and begins at the earliest planning stages, before decisions are made and actions are taken; an active and respectful dialog concerning actions taken by the USACE that may significantly affect tribal resources, tribal rights (including treaty rights) or Indian lands.”

Pre-Decisional Consultation 
Consultation occurs on a Government-to-Government basis by law and at Tribal request. Tribes with protected rights or resources that could be affected by any proposed Federal action (e.g., reservoir erosion from dam operations or a permit decision) have the right to consult with districts on a government-to-government basis. Consultation is initiated by USACE as early as possible in the planning process. The starting point for effective future consultations is routine and ongoing coordination at the technical level, which can be elevated to consultation at Tribal request.

Treaties and Trust Responsibility
Tribal relationships are based on legal and historical activities such as treaties, and laws and regulations that are set forth by Congress to address Tribal matters of importance to their communities. American Indian treaties are not a granting of rights to American Indians, but a recognition of pre-existing rights and the protection and preservation actions necessary to observe those rights. Treaties with Tribes are equal to Federal laws passed by Congress. As a federal agency, USACE has Federal Trust Responsibility, a legal term that signifies our obligation to ensure the protection of tribal and individual Indian lands, assets, resources, and treaty and similarly recognized rights. Views of each Tribe regarding protected rights and resources are accorded due to considerations in this process.

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