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What We Do

By Office of Tribal Relations

USGS has recognized the importance of Native knowledge and living in harmony with nature as compliments to the USGS mission to better understand the Earth. 

USGS has recognized the importance of Native knowledge and living in harmony with nature as complements to the USGS mission to better understand the Earth. Combining traditional ecological knowledge with empirical studies allows the USGS and Native American governments, organizations, and people to increase their mutual understanding and respect for this land. USGS provides information to tribes as part of our basic mission of providing unbiased scientific information to the nation, and as part of the federal trust responsibility to tribes.

Office of Tribal Relations Mission

  • Strive to build USGS awareness of tribal science needs, the federal trust responsibility, and the obligation to honor the government-to-government relationship that USGS has with American Indian and Alaska Native tribal governments;
  • Work to support tribes and tribal communities in capacity building by supporting USGS tribal training; 
  • Build new partnerships and strengthen current partnerships with other federal agencies, universities, and numerous tribes; and
  • Facilitate the delivery of USGS science to Indian tribes and Alaska Native villages through the communication of USGS capabilities.