Native American Cultural Resources

Army policy in AR 200-1 for Native American Issues is based on the principles of tribal sovereignty and government-to-government relations, the same principles embodied in Department of Defense American Indian and Alaska Native Policy and DoD Instruction Number 4710.02: DoD Interactions with Federally-Recognized Tribes.

The Army conducted a number of nationwide meetings with tribal representatives and established guidelines for consultation with Native Americans. Army-Indian relations improved significantly through changes in policy, increased sensitivity to environmental issues, and active public outreach, to address issues of concern to Native Americans, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians. The Army is proactive in its efforts to shape a uniform approach to address tribal concerns. Army regulations require installation commanders to establish on-going relationships with tribes on a government-to-government basis and to afford them an opportunity to comment and consult at the earliest practicable time in the planning and execution of Army undertakings.

The Army recognizes the importance of increasing understanding and addressing tribal concerns, past, present and future and will continue to address these concerns prior to reaching decisions on Army actions that may have the potential to significantly affect tribal resources, tribal rights, or Indian lands.

The Army is steward to and protects Native American Sacred Sites on 31 installations.

Final Rule on NAGPRA Regulations published in the Federal Register

Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) of 1990, PL 101-601

Executive Order 13007, Indian Sacred Sites

Executive Order 13175, Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments

American Indian Religious Freedom Act of 1978 as amended, PL 95-341, 42 USC 1996 & 1996a

DoD American Indian and Alaska Native Policy Booklet

DoD Instruction 4710.02, DoD Interactions with Federal-Recognized Tribes