Legislative Authority:

American Indian and Alaska Native Policy (GM-410, Part 405.0 – 405.32) outlining Government-to-Government and the role of Tribal Conservation Advisory Councils was issued in FY 2004.

O&E Review of NRCS
Program Delivery to
American Indians:

On-going

Training:

NRCS provides training on Working Effectively with American Indians, Working Effectively with Alaska Natives, Contracting in Indian Country, and Consultation with American Indians and Alaska Natives. 

RC&D:

Designated the Navajo Nation RC&D Area in 1997.

Tribal Conservation Districts:

There are twenty-six Conservation Districts in twelve states.

Field Offices:

There are 45 full-time and 30 part-time field offices serving tribes.

Employee Organizations:

The American Indian and Alaska Native Employees Association (AIANEA) for NRCS will hold its Annual  Training Conference in Anchorage, Alaska on August 14-18, 2006.  The AIANEA site address is www.aianea.com

EQIP Set Asides:

$19,800,000 in EQIP funds were obligated to conservation projects on tribal lands in FY-2005.

NRCS Funding of IAC Outreach Worker Program:

The partnership of NRCS, FSA, APHIS, RD, and FAS has provided funds for the IAC to hire outreach workers to assist USDA agencies in reaching Tribal Nations and Indian Farmers and Ranchers. FY-2004 was the start of a new one year agreement among partners.

NRCS provided funds for five Washington Internships for Native Students (WINS).

1994 Land Grant Tribal Colleges:

NRCS provided five scholarships to American Indian and Alaska Native students attending a Tribal College or University in FY 2005.

Employment:

NRCS employs 327 full-time American Indians and Alaska Natives, which represents 2.7% of the agency’s workforce.

American Indian Heritage Month:

NRCS distributes 13,000 American Indian posters to field offices and the general public each year.  The posters use native artists from around the country and celebrate the uniqueness and importance of American Indians and Alaska Natives. 

Cultural Resources:

NRCS is developing cultural resources programmatic agreements with all Federally Recognized Tribes.