Forked Toothed US Forest Service "Wants to work more closely with tribal governments"

 With more than 3,000 miles of contiguous border with American Indian and Alaska Native-owned lands, the U.S. Forest Service wants to work more closely with tribal governments in the protection, respectful interpretation and appropriate access to Indian sacred sites.

U.S. Agriculture Secretary John Vilsack this month released a new reportrecommending that the agency should take steps to strengthen the partnerships between the agency, tribal governments, and American Indian and Alaska Native communities to help preserve America’s rich native traditions.

According to the report, many tribes have historically managed their forests well and in ways the Forest Service hopes to emulate: “Tribal land management is a testament to the Tribal land ethic, an ethic rooted in traditions, stories, and cultures. Sacred sites … are important facets of that land ethic and a common bond between us,” the report states. The report and related documents are online at this Forest Service website.

“American Indian and Alaska Native values and culture have made our nation rich in spirit and deserve to be honored and respected,” Vilsack said. “By honoring and protecting sacred sites on national forests and grasslands, we foster improved tribal relationships and a better understanding of native people’s deep reverence for natural resources and contributions to society.”

As the report was being developed, federal officials learned that Native Americans and Forest Service land managers share many of the same concerns about sacred site protection. And while there have been examples of successful partnerships, the review team also discovered that there were inconsistencies in the agency’s consultative and collaborative processes, which are sometimes ineffective when done in ways that Tribes do not consider meaningful………………readmdorehere