Advisory Council on Historic Preservation

The federal government has a unique relationship with Indian Tribes derived from the Constitution of the United States, treaties, Supreme Court doctrine, and federal statutes. It is deeply rooted in American history, dating back to the earliest contact in which colonial governments addressed Indian Tribes as sovereign nations. The ACHP, as a federal agency, fully recognizes the nation-to-nation relationship between the United States and federally recognized Indian Tribes and acknowledges Indian Tribes as sovereign nations with inherent powers of self-governance.

The following resources inform the ACHP in its ongoing efforts to meet its trust responsibility and advance government-to-government consultation with Indian Tribes:

• Consultation Procedures Pursuant to E.O. 13175: Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments April 26, 2021

• Procedures for Gove to Gov Consultation between the ACHP and Indian Tribes, John Nau memo September 16, 2009

• The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation’s Statement on its Trust Responsibility

• Policy Statement Regarding the Council’s Relationships with Indian Tribes

• Policy Statement on Burial Sites, Human Remains, and Funerary Objects

• ​​​​​​​ACHP Policy Statement Regarding Federal Relationships with Tribal Historic Preservation Officers

In addition to agency specific policy, procedures, and memos, the ACHP is guided by Executive Orders and Presidential Memorandum including:

• Executive Order 13175

• Presidential Memorandum on Tribal Consultation and Strengthening Nation-to-Nation Relationships January 26, 2021

• Presidential Memorandum on Uniform Standards for Tribal Consultation November 30, 2022

The ACHP has designated its Chairman as the Official responsible for Government-to-Government consultation with Indian Tribes. ACHP’s Director of the Office of Native American Affairs serves as the primary point of contact for Tribal consultation matters, is responsible for advising agency staff on all matters pertaining to Tribal consultation, and serves as the primary point of contact for Tribal officials seeking to consult with the agency.

Agency Official responsible for ACHP’s government-to-government consultation:  
Sara Bronin 
Chairman

Agency Point of Contact for Tribal officials seeking government-to-government consultation: 
Ira L. Matt 
Director, Office of Native American Affairs