Indian Health Service Announces Updated Tribal Consultation Policy

Indian Health Service Announces Updated Tribal Consultation Policy

The Indian Health Service is pleased to announce the update of its Tribal Consultation Policy. The revised policy is a significant step toward strengthening the Agency's commitment to meaningful and effective consultation and reflects over three years of collaborations with Tribal leaders through multiple rounds of Tribal consultation, alongside efforts of the IHS Director's Advisory Workgroup on Tribal Consultation (Consultation Workgroup).

"I want to express my sincere appreciation to the Consultation Workgroup members for their commitment and hard work in helping us shape this important policy update," said IHS Director Roselyn Tso. "The update is an example of Tribal consultation in practice and underscores the Agency's unwavering commitment to the principle of meaningful Nation-to-Nation consultation as we work together to address the health care challenges facing our communities."

The update comes more than 18 years after the 2006 policy was issued and introduces clearer guidelines, timelines, and procedures that enhance the IHS Tribal Consultation process. This update aligns with the requirements of Executive Order (EO) 13175 "Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments," the Presidential Memoranda on Tribal Consultation and Strengthening Nation-to-Nation Relationships, Uniform Standards for Tribal Consultation, and with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Tribal Consultation Policy. It further includes a training requirement for IHS employees who work with Tribal nations or on policies with Tribal implications, that at a minimum, includes a review of EO 13175, the President's Memorandum on Uniform Standards for Tribal Consultation, and the IHS Tribal Consultation Policy.

The Dear Tribal Leader Letter announcing the updated IHS Tribal Consultation Policy, including enclosures that outline the Tribal consultation activity and detail the revisions to the updated policy are located on the IHS website at Tribal Leader Letters.

"The IHS remains strongly committed to engaging in open, continuous, and meaningful consultation that emphasizes trust, respect, and shared responsibility." said IHS Director Roselyn Tso.

The IHS, an agency in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, provides a comprehensive health service delivery system for approximately 2.8 million American Indians and Alaska Natives who belong to 574 federally recognized tribes in 37 states. Follow the agency via social media on Facebook, X, and LinkedIn.