Idaho National Laboratory Cultural Resource Management Plan

Appendix B
American Indian Interests:
DOE Policy and Regulatory Guidance
INTRODUCTION
American Indians tribes have several concerns centered on the protection and renewal of their
cultures:
Treaty rights and tribal sovereignty
Contemporary political and social rights, and economic viability
Preservation of language and customs
Freedom to practice native religions, and to protect and have access to religious and traditional sites
Protection of archaeological sites, treatment of human burials and associated artifacts, and
repatriation of human skeletons and sacred objects.
DOE-ID has addressed these concerns by:
Adhering to the U.S. Department of Energy American Indian and Alaska Native Tribal Government
Policy (see Attachment 1)
Entering into an AIP Between The Shoshone-Bannock Tribes and the United States Department Of
Energy (see Attachment 2)
Developing a communications protocol for undertakings involving INL American Indian cultural
resources (see Attachment 3)
Developing an MOA Between the United States Department of Energy, Idaho Operations Office and
the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes (Middle Butte Cave Agreement) (see Attachment 4).
SUMMARY OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY AMERICAN
INDIAN AND ALASKA NATIVE TRIBAL GOVERNMENT POLICY
The U.S. DOE American Indian and Alaska Native Tribal Government Policy (see Attachment 1)
outlines the principles to be followed by DOE in its interaction with federally recognized American
Indian tribes. This policy is based on federal policy, treaties, federal law, and DOE’s responsibilities as a
federal agency to ensure that tribal rights and interests are identified and considered in pertinent decisionmaking
processes. Under this policy, DOE will:
1. Recognize the federal trust relationship and fulfill its trust responsibilities to American Indian and
Alaska Native nations.
2. Recognize and commit to a government-to-government relationship and institute appropriate
protocols and procedures for program and policy implementation.
3. Establish mechanisms for outreach, notice, and consultation, and ensure integration of American
Indian nations into decision-making processes.
4. Comply with applicable federal cultural resource protection and other laws and Executive Orders to
assist in the preservation and protection of historic and cultural sites and traditional religious
practices.
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