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BPA Tribal Policy
April 1996
It is the entire government, not simply the Department of Interior, that has a trust responsibility with Tribal governments. And it is time the entire government recognized and honored that responsibility.

President Bill Clinton, in the Memorandum to the Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies, April 29, 1994

We must: Respect the values, religions and identity of Native Americans; improve the Federal government's relationship with the Tribes and become full partners with the Tribal nations; and position American Indians and Alaska Natives to compete economically as we move into the 21st century.

Former Energy Secretary Hazel R. O'Leary, in her remarks to Tribal leaders at the National Congress of American Indians Executive Council Winter Session, February 27, 1996.

BPA will develop a format for a government-to-government relationship with the Tribes.

Administrator Randy Hardy, to thirteen Indian Tribes, October 13, 1993

When Bonneville Power Administrator Randy Hardy signed the BPA Tribal Policy in April 1996, he reaffirmed the trust relationship between BPA as a federal agency and the 13 federally recognized tribes in the Columbia River Basin, as well as the other Northwest Indian tribes.

BPA’s Tribal Policy responds to a memorandum issued by President Clinton to the heads of the executive department. In that memorandum, the President made trust responsibility and tribal relations the responsibility of all federal departments and all federal employees.

Following is the full text of BPA’s Tribal Policy.

Purpose and Objectives

The purpose of this policy is to outline the foundation of BPA’s Trust responsibility as a Federal agency and to provide a framework for a government-to-government relationship with the thirteen Federally recognized Columbia Basin Tribes (Tribes).

General Principles

The principles set forth below follow the Department of Energy’s American Indian Policy (DOE Order No. 1230.2—Apr. 8, 1992) and serves as guidelines to BPA and the Tribes throughout the development of their government-to-government relationships.

I. BPA recognizes that a trust responsibility derives from the historical relationship between the Federal government and the Tribes as expressed in Treaties, statutes, Executive Orders, and Federal Indian case law. Using these legal underpinnings, BPA and the Tribes will work cooperatively to arrive at an understanding of how the trust responsibility applies to a government-to-government relationship.

II. BPA commits to a government-to-government relationship with the Tribal governments and recognizes the unique character of each Tribe. Tribal governments have the primary authority and responsibility for many reservation affairs, and may be co-managers of natural resources within their respective ceded, treaty, or usual and accustomed areas.

  1. BPA fully respects Tribal law and recognizes Tribal governments as sovereigns.
  2. In keeping with the principle of self-government, BPA recognizes, where appropriate, the legal authority of Tribal governments for making Tribal decisions which may affect Indian and non-Indian peoples and Tribal cultural and natural resources both on and off-reservation.
  3. BPA will consult with the Tribal governments to assure that Tribal rights and concerns are considered prior to BPA taking actions, making decisions, or implementing programs that may affect Tribal resources.

III. The objectives outlined below define BPA’s policy regarding the ate a government-to-government relationship, BPA will work cooperatively with each Tribe to develop points of contact and specific lines of communication.

  1. Within the limits of its legal authority, BPA will not change this policy without advance notice and consultation with the Tribes.
  2. BPA will make its best efforts to ensure that if future changes in its organization nullify any part of the policy, then BPA will promptly consult with the Tribes and revise the policy accordingly.
  3. Successful implementation of this policy requires commitment throughout BPA’s chain of command. BPA managers and staff will be accountable for creating and maintaining a mutually beneficial government-to-government relationship with the Tribes.

Signed: ________________________________________________________

Randall W. Hardy, (Date)
Chief Executive Officer/Administrator
Bonneville Power Administration

Tribal Communication Team

Darrell Eastman - Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation; Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation; Yakama Indian Nation; and Nez Perce Tribe. Darrell is located in Portland and can be reached at 503-230-3869.

Robert Shank - Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation; Spokane Tribe of Indians; Kootenai Tribe of Idaho; Coeur d’Alene Tribe; and Kalispel Tribe. Burns-Paiute Tribe; Shoshone-Paiute Tribe; Shoshone-Bannock Tribes; and Salish-Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead Indian Reservation. "Bob" is located in Spokane and can be reached at 509-358-7357.

Valerie Shelton - Administrative support for Tribal Relations staff. Val can be reached in Spokane at 509-358-7361.

John Smith - Tribal Relations Manager, Policy level consultation with all thirteen tribes, 509-358-7446.

List of Possible Internal Services

The 13 federally recognized tribes in the Columbia River Basin

Burns - Paiute Nez Perce Umatilla
Coeur D’Alene Salish and Kootenai Yakama
Colville Shoshone - Bannock Warm Springs
Kalispell Shoshone - Paiute
Kootenai Spokane
Updated June 20, 2001 by BPA Communications, 503-230-5131.

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