US Department of Labor to participate in consultation sessions to obtain input from tribal governments on department-wide tribal consultation policy

Effort responds to President Obamas directive that federal agencies consult tribes on recommended practices

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor will participate in three consultation sessions over the next few weeks to develop – in coordination with tribal governments – a plan of action for the implementation of Executive Order 13175, Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments. On Nov. 5, President Obama issued an executive memorandum directing federal agencies to conduct such activities.

"The Labor Department is committed to developing a meaningful consultation policy that is both respectful of tribal sovereignty and reflective of the nation-to-nation relationship between tribes and the U.S. government," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis.

During the sessions, Labor Department officials will seek best practices from tribal leaders to ensure tribes are engaged at each step when the department initiates, develops and implements policies with tribal implications.

Session dates and locations include Dec.14, 2009, in Washington, D.C.; Jan. 5, 2010, in Minneapolis, Minn.; and Jan. 12, 2010, in Phoenix, Ariz. The Department of Labor will be participating in sessions scheduled by the Department of the Interior in order to ease the travel burden on tribal leaders.

The Labor Department also will accept written comments and questions about the consultation process from tribal leaders unable to attend any of the scheduled sessions. Those can be directed to Nicole Willis, special assistant to Secretary Solis for Indian affairs, at 202-693-6453 or willis.nicole@dol.gov.