Recommendations from NOAA's Marine and Coastal Area-based Management Advisory Committee: Supporting Indigenous-led conservation and co-stewardship

Abstract

As an agency of the US Government, NOAA has a legal and moral obligation to protect the interests of Tribal Nations, including their lands, resources, and treaty or other tribal rights, based on the unique relationship that exists between the US Government and Tribes. There exists a fundamental trust responsibility to protect tribal lands, resources, assets and treaty rights. NOAA has centrally important obligations to federally recognized Tribal Nations and Native Hawaiians through this trust responsibility. In addition, building meaningful and enduring partnerships with Tribal Nations and Indigenous communities across the United States and US Territories generates effective and durable approaches to conservation, economic benefit, access to nature, and climate resiliency, thereby restoring human relationships with coastal and ocean ecosystems vital to our wellbeing. This requires NOAA staff equipped for and invested in long-term relationship building who understand the specific histories and needs of Tribal Nations and Indigenous communities, and clear understandable processes of engagement and consultation situated well in advance of and extending beyond a single project or policy. NOAA can leverage tools to support Indigenous sovereignty including mutually beneficial co-stewardship agreements, funding through awards and cooperative agreements, staffing dedicated to collaboration and coordination with Tribal Nations, and developing broad staff expertise in concerns related to Indigenous-led conservation and co-stewardship.