Federal agencies have acknowledged their support for the independence and government-to-government relationships with the tribes through policy statements and removal of barriers to participation in national programs.

FEMA's first tribal policy became effective in 1998 and established how FEMA operates with regard to tribal governments and outlines a framework for nation-to-nation relations with tribal governments that recognizes tribal sovereignty, self-governance, and FEMA’s trust responsibility that is consistent with applicable authorities.

Click on this link to review a key excerpt of the policy.