Tribal Environmental Protection

The National Indian Justice Center (NIJC) is developing an online course based upon its Working Effectively with Tribal Governments Guidebook and Training Session developed pursuant to an Environmental Justice grant from the California EPA.

This course seeks to promote tribal government involvement in the environmental issues that affect them by cultivating positive government-to-government relationships between tribes and other governmental entities on cross-jurisdictional issues.  It will educate personnel from other environmental agencies on tribal government sovereignty and the status of Indian lands will increase awareness of the complex jurisdictional maze resulting from historic events and laws and policies asserted over Indian Country.  Technical capacity in these subjects is essential for effective intergovernmental consultation and coordination.  When tribes perceive that other agencies understand and are sensitive to their concerns, they will be more empowered and likely to participate in environmental decision making as equal partners. Without such basic awareness instilled in other governmental agencies, tribal governments will continue to be disadvantaged in the environmental regulatory process on issues of importance to their communities.