The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced it will create a Tribal Advisory Committee and is requesting nominations for membership.
“Establishing the Tribal Advisory Committee is an important step towards ensuring tribal perspectives are well represented at USDA and positioned to inform how the Department meets its trust responsibility to tribes across the nation,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “I encourage applicants from across the country to apply and look forward to working with my counterparts on the Hill to appoint members who represent the diversity of voices across Indian Country.”
Duties of the Tribal Advisory Committee
Authorized in the 2018 Farm Bill, the Tribal Advisory Committee will provide advice and guidance to the Secretary of Agriculture on tribal matters and Indian affairs. Also, the Tribal Advisory Committee will provide recommendations on USDA programs and policies, including through an annual report to Congress. Specifically, duties include:
- Identifying important issues to Indian tribes having to do with programs of the Department;
- Communicating to the Secretary the issues identified;
- Recommending solutions to these issues, and other issues raised at the Tribal, regional, or national level, and issues that relate to any Tribal consultation carried out by the Department;
- Discussing issues and proposals for changes to regulations, policies, and procedures of the Department that impact Indian tribes;
- Identifying priorities and providing advice on appropriate strategies for Tribal consultation;
- Ensuring that pertinent issues of the Department are brought to the attention of an Indian tribe in a timely manner so that timely feedback can be obtained; and,
- Identifying and proposing solutions to any interdepartmental barriers between the Department and other Federal agencies.
While performing these duties, the Committee will receive support from the USDA Office of Tribal Relations. Moreover, the Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs in the Department of the Interior will support the Tribal Advisory Committee. But, the Office of Tribal Relations will serve as administrative lead. The Tribal Advisory Committee will have 11 members who serve two- or three-year terms. The Committee will meet at least twice a year.
Activities from this committee will not replace new and continuing consultation required by Executive Order 13175 and USDA’s government-to-government relationship with tribes.
Tribal Advisory Committee Nominations
Nominations must be emailed or postmarked by August 14, 2023.
According to the Federal Register, nominations and resumes should be submitted to:
Josiah Griffin, Designated Federal Officer, 1400 Independence Ave. SW, Room 501–A, Washington, DC, 20250 or Josiah.Griffin@usda.gov.
Nominations must include the following documents:
- Summary of qualifications (no more than two pages), explaining the nominee’s qualifications to serve on the Tribal Advisory Committee.
- A resume providing the nominee’s background, experience, and educational qualifications.
- A completed Advisory Committee or Research and Promotion Background Information form (AD–755) signed by the nominee. https://www.ocio.usda.gov/sites/default/files/docs/2012/AD-755-Approved_Master-exp-3.31.22_508.pdf.
- Letters of endorsement are optional.
For further details, visit the Federal Register for the complete set of instructions and requirements for nominations.
USDA encourages nominations from federally recognized tribes and Alaska Native Corporations. Tribal organizations or national or regional organizations with expertise in tribal food and agriculture issues can also submit nominations. Following the nomination process, USDA expects a diverse Tribal Advisory Committee with expertise across regions and tribes. Further, USDA anticipates the Committee to include expertise from across the agriculture industry, including subsistence and related cultural practices.
Learn More
Send inquiries to Josiah Griffin, Designated Federal Officer, USDA, Office of Tribal Relations, 1400 Independence Ave. SW, Room 501–A, Washington, DC, and 20250 or at (202) 205–2249 and Josiah.Griffin@usda.gov.
