Chair Grijalva Joins President Biden In Reaffirming Commitment to Tribal Sovereignty and Consultation, Calls for Further Action

Washington D.C. - House Natural Resources Committee Chair Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) released the following statement supporting President Joe Biden’s executive order signaling a renewed federal respect for tribal sovereignty, strengthening the government-to-government  relationship between the federal government and American Indian and Alaska Native tribes, furthering self-determination, and advancing racial justice for tribal communities.

“The Trump administration’s blatant disregard of the federal government’s treaty and trust responsibilities to tribal governments has harmed tribal communities for the past four years. We witnessed significant sacred ancestral sites blown to bits and federal protections wrongly stripped from sacred lands. In addition, we saw the failure of federal public health guidance during the pandemic result in the loss of tribal elders and community members. Tribes must always have the seat at the table. To prevent further loss and advance the president’s goals even further, I’m working with my colleagues to pass my RESPECT Act to codify this requirement and ensure that tribes are proactively consulted.”

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Media Contact: Monica Sanchez

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