On January 26th, 2021, President Biden signed a Memorandum on Tribal Consultation and Strengthening Nation-to-Nation Relationships.
In the memo, Biden states that "It is a priority of my Administration to make respect for Tribal sovereignty and self-governance, commitment to fulfilling Federal trust and treaty responsibilities to Tribal Nations, and regular, meaningful, and robust consultation with Tribal Nations cornerstones of Federal Indian policy."
The memo reaffirms the policies outlined in Executive Order 13175, originally signed by Bill Clinton in November of 2000. It "charges all executive departments and agencies with engaging in regular, meaningful, and robust consultation with Tribal officials in the development of Federal policies that have Tribal implications," according to Biden's memo.
Biden also recently selected New Mexico Rep. Deb Haaland as his nominee for interior secretary, making her the first Native American to lead the department.
