The U.S. Department of Interior has opened a comment period related to implementation of the Department of Interior’s Indigenous Knowledge Handbook.
Comments are due January 8, 2025.
The Department is holding three consultation sessions for Federally-recognized Tribes on December 9; Native Hawaii Community on December 10; and Alaska Native Corporations on December 13. The Department is also hosting a Listening Session on December 11. Learn more here and register.
If you would like assistance drafting comments, please connect.
From the BIA:
In December 2023, the Department of the Interior (Department) issued a new Departmental Manual (DM) chapter entitled, “Departmental Responsibilities for Consideration and Inclusion of lndigenous Knowledge in Departmental Actions and Scientific Research, 301 DM 7.” This Chapter establishes the Department’s policies, responsibilities, and procedures to respect, and equitably promote the inclusion of lndigenous Knowledge in the Department’s decision making, resource management, program implementation, policy development, scientific research, and other actions. In developing this Chapter, the Department conducted consultation with Tribal Leaders, Alaska Native Corporations, and Native Hawaiian leaders in February 2023, and held a listening session with Indigenous leaders from the U.S. Territories in March 2023.
The Department is now developing an implementation Handbook to guide employees as they work with Tribes and Indigenous communities to implement the policies of 301 DM 7. The Department seeks your input on the content of this Handbook.
You may provide written comments to consultation@bia.gov by 11 :59 pm Eastern Time on January 8, 2025.
