Respecting Tribal Governance
Government-to-Government Relations
During the month of November there were several significant government-to-government meetings. Such meetings demonstrate the commitment federal and state administrations have implemented to listen to, respect, and support tribal priorities.
Federal
President Biden, Vice President Harris and senior administration officials re-established the White House Tribal Nations Summit on November 15 and 16 of this year. The Summit featured panel discussions and listening sessions with high level Administration officials on Tribal priorities, including a panel on education that was co-facilitated by Secretary Deb Haaland, Chief Executive Melanie Benjamin and others.
The event was virtual but robust and full of meaningful dialogue with Tribal leaders on key issues, policy initiatives, and goals for Indian Country. The Biden-Harris Administration is deeply committed to honoring trust and treaty responsibilities with federally recognized Tribes and the summit provided an opportunity for Tribal leaders to engage directly with officials from the highest levels of the administration.
"It made my heart smile to witness these intelligent, caring, wise, and accomplished American Indian people representing me and Indian country as tribal officials and within the Biden-Harris Administration," Benjamin said. "When I think of our people today, I see members of Congress, a Cabinet Secretary, attorneys, doctors, chiefs, artists, educators, climate change advocates, and treaty rights experts. These are modern-day warriors who are all fighting for what our ancestors fought to preserve. They are fighting for the preservation of our homelands, our rights for our Elders to live in dignity, and for our children to have hopes and dreams across the next seven generations. Convincing federal officials to support Indian country has always meant being a strong communicator. At this White House summit, I saw the outcome of fighting for decades for American Indian people to be sitting on both sides of the table, hearing our words not just with their ears and hearts, but through the lens of their own lived experience, history and ancestors’ dreams. The numerous Memorandums of Understanding signed by the Administration on such critical topics as Tribal Consultation, Language Preservation, Treaty Rights, Sacred Sites and other topics also made this summit one of critical historical importance. For Indian tribes, “Build Back Better” means building to catch up and the Biden-Harris Administration is giving us that unprecedented opportunity. We now have a future we can look forward to.
State
Gov. Tim Walz and Lieutenant Gov. Peggy Flanagan held a ceremonial bill signing on Nov. 9, 2021 with tribal leaders, including Chief Executive Melanie Benjamin and Secretary Treasurer Sheldon Boyd, community members, and legislators in honor of the passage of Minnesota First Special Session Chapter 14, HF 9, Article 11, Section 5, affirming the government-to-government relationships with Tribal governments. The bill was approved and signed into law on July 1, 2021. The law recognizes tribal sovereignty, requires state agencies to appoint tribal-state liaisons, and recognize the unique legal relationship between the State of Minnesota and Minnesota Tribal Nations. It also mandates tribal-state relations training for state leaders and employees.
