In addition, classification of tribal land is more complex and some Federally Recognized tribal lands straddle state borders, and sometimes even international borders. 

Not all tribes have “reservations” – there are over 570 federally recognized tribes, but only 326 Indian land areas in the U.S. administered as federal Indian reservations. This means that not all tribes that request a disaster declaration have a clear community border defined for implementation of disaster programs. The names of these tribal communities can vary – reservations, pueblos, rancherias, missions, villages, or communities are the most common terms. These lands range in size from the 17 million-acre Navajo Nation Reservation located in Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah to a 1.32-acre parcel in California where the Pit River Tribe’s cemetery is located. Many of the smaller reservations are less than 1,000 acres.

It will be important to explain all the options that are available so tribal governments can make the best decisions for recovery program funding.

It will also be important to carefully help tribal governments understand the potential benefits and drawbacks of deciding to request a direct declaration or become a sub-recipient under a State declaration for any of the available programs and help them maximize disaster relief funding available to help them make their communities more resilient.

All of these factors will impact the success of providing assistance in both the pre- and post-disaster environment.