In 1996, Executive Order 96-30 formally established government-to-government relations between the State of Oregon and the nine federally recognized Indian Tribes that reside within Oregon’s borders.
Oregon Revised Statute (ORS 182.162 - 182.168)
The Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) recognizes and values the significant contributions of the nine federally recognized tribes in Oregon to agriculture and the rich heritage they bring. It is important that tribal interests are meaningfully engaged with, respected, and fully considered in the ODA policy development process. By collaborating with tribes in Oregon, ODA aims to foster agricultural resiliency — the ability to adapt to and recover from various challenges such as climate change, market volatility, and resource limitations, while maintaining productivity, environmental stewardship, and economic viability — in communities across the state.
This webpage is designed to provide resources to help others understand the importance of tribal outreach and input incorporated into the work we do, making sure ODA’s actions include meaningful involvement through consultation and communication with Oregon tribal nations.
To ensure meaningful tribal input and communication, ODA commits to:
- Designating a Tribal Liaison: Establish and maintain a dedicated agency liaison to foster strong working relationships between ODA and tribes in Oregon.
- Engaging in Tribal Workgroups: Actively participate in the Natural Resources Workgroup and Cultural Resources Cluster meetings, where the Tribal Liaison will provide relevant agency updates.
- Facilitating Issue Resolution: Notify the ODA Executive Team of issues or concerns raised by tribes and facilitate processes to address them effectively.
- Enhancing Communication: Collaborate with tribes to identify their interests, ensuring opportunities for tribal input into the planning, development, and implementation of agency programs and activities. This includes seeking tribal representation on ODA advisory committees and boards where interests align.
- Access to Records: Maintain a notification process to inform Oregon tribes before destroying records listed on ODA’s special record retention schedule.
- Encouraging Tribal Engagement: Send an annual letter to Oregon tribes outlining upcoming policy and rule development initiatives and inviting their engagement in areas of interest.
Resources
Oregon Department of Agriculture Government-to-Government Relations Policy Statement
Document helps to establish a policy on government-to-government relations between the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) and Oregon’s federally recognized tribes.
Policy statement Oregon Department of Agriculture Government-to-Government Annual Reports
Per ORS 182.166(3), a summary report of the government-to-government interactions with Oregon’s nine federally recognized tribes by program area.
Government-to-Government 2024 Annual Report
Government-to-Government 2023 Annual Report
Government-to-Government 2022 Annual Report
Government-to-Government 2021 Annual Report Oregon Department of Agriculture Government-to-Government Annual Reports
Per ORS 182.166(3), a summary report of the government-to-government interactions with Oregon’s nine federally recognized tribes by program area.
Summary Report Legislative Commission on Indian Services
Includes information on the commission, the nine tribes of Oregon, key contact information, Government to Government, and more.
Legislative Commission on Indian Services Land Acknowledgement Guidance
Information about land acknowledgement from the Legislative Commission on Indian Services.
Land Acknowledgement Guidance document Helping Them Home: The need to Return Artifacts and Sacred Objects to Native American Tribes
A video that covers the importance of returning sacred objects or artifacts in private collections, to the appropriate tribe. It covers why it is the right thing to do, and why it is important to tribes.
Helping Them Home video