Tribal Relations

The Inyo National Forest stretches from Yosemite in the north to Death Valley in the south, from the crest of the Sierra Nevada in California to the Great Basin in Nevada. The Forest encompasses the traditional homelands, hunting and gathering areas, trading destinations, and ceremonial areas for numerous federally recognized and non-federally recognized Paiute and Western Shoshone tribes. The Inyo National Forest regularly consults with local Native American communities on federal policies, undertakings, and other activities that may affect tribal interests.

Tribal Consultation

American Indians and Alaskan Natives have a unique legal and political relationship with the government of the United States. This relationship is defined by history, treaties, statutes, executive orders, policies, court decisions, and the U.S. Constitution. Indigenous people live in every state and often near Forest Service administered lands. The relationships with Tribes that Forest Service personnel build, maintain, and enhance make a difference.

The Inyo Forest seeks to foster and maintain positive government-to-government relationships with federally recognized American Indian tribes. We also seek input from locally affiliated Native American communities, individuals, and tribal entities that are not yet formally recognized.

The Inyo’s consultation procedures are designed to incorporate recognized Tribes into the Forest's decision making process to the same extent as other federal, state, and local government agencies. While the Forest is responsible for making decisions on public lands, tribal input is an integral element in making balanced land use and management decisions. Below are links to important sources of information on Forest Service activities and policies at the local, state, and national level.

Policy

Forest Service policy in general states that the Forest Service will:

• Maintain a governmental relationship with federally recognized tribal governments;
• Implement our programs and activities honoring tribal rights and fulfill legally mandated trust responsibilities;
• Administer programs and activities to address and be sensitive to traditional beliefs and practices; and
• Provide research, transfer of technology, and technical assistance to Tribes.

Throughout the agency, line officers are responsible for cultivating and maintaining government-to-government relationships in compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, Executive Orders, and agency policy. 

Tribal Partners, North to South

• Bridgeport Indian Colony
• Mono Lake Kootzaduka'a Tribe
• Utu Utu Gwaitu Paiute Tribe of the Benton Paiute Reservation
• Bishop Paiute Tribe
• Big Pine Paiute Tribe of the Owens Valley
• Fort Independence Tribe of Paiute Indians
• Lone Pine Paiute-Shoshone Tribe
• Timbisha Shoshone Tribe
• Tubatulabal Tribe
• Kern Valley Indian Community

Additional Tribal Information

• Owens Valley Paiute-Shoshone Cultural Center
• Inyo National Forest Schedule of Proposed Actions (SOPA)
• US Forest Service Pacific Southwest Region Tribal Relations Program
• US Forest Service Washington Office Tribal Relations Calendar
• Digital Atlas of California Native Americans
• Native Lands App
• State of CA Native American Heritage Commission
• Owens Valley Indian Water Commission
• US Department of Interior Indian Affairs Grant Clearinghouse
• Cultural Resources are Protected by Law