Call To Action: Upcoming Tribal Consultations: Indian Affairs Workforce Efficiency and Productivity – EO 14210

The U.S. Department of the Interior's Indian Affairs office has announced a new series of Tribal consultations in response to Executive Order 14210: “Revitalizing the Federal Workforce,” issued by President Trump on February 11, 2025. This directive establishes the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) Workforce Optimization Initiative, a government-wide effort to reform the federal workforce by enhancing efficiency, streamlining operations, and improving the delivery of services to the American public, including Tribal Nations.

Who Should Attend?
These consultations are open to elected Tribal leaders or their designated proxies. Tribal citizens, staff, and organizations are also welcome to attend and listen in.

What’s at Stake?
As required by EO 14210, all federal agencies must develop an Agency Reorganization Plan to enhance workforce efficiency and productivity. For agencies serving Tribal Nations, such as Indian Affairs, this process must comply with related federal policies that require meaningful and timely Tribal consultation when developing policies with Tribal implications.

Thus, the decisions informed by these consultations extend beyond internal efficiency; they directly impact the federal government’s ability to uphold its trust and treaty obligations. This process provides a crucial opportunity for Tribal leaders to ensure that restructuring efforts align with Tribal priorities, protect sovereignty, and preserve vital services for Tribal communities.

Consultation Schedule

Why It Matters
In a time of shifting political priorities and heightened scrutiny of federal programs, the future of Indian Affairs is being shaped in real time. Decisions made under the banner of efficiency and streamlining can have profound consequences for Tribal Nations, particularly if those decisions are made without meaningful input from the Tribal community.

Thus, these consultations are not just procedural, but pivotal. They provide formal avenues for Tribal Nations to assert their sovereignty, elevate community priorities, and ensure that restructuring efforts do not compromise the federal government’s trust and treaty obligations.

With EO 14210 driving a government-wide push for workforce realignment, Indian Country must remain at the table to ensure its representation. These sessions provide an opportunity to remind federal agencies that Tribal communities are not just stakeholders; they are sovereign nations. It’s essential to understand how services are delivered, but even more critical to ask who makes those decisions, and whether they reflect the self-determined priorities and visions of Tribal Nations.

How to Participate

Now more than ever, Tribal voices are essential in shaping a future for Indian Affairs that is accountable, responsive, and rooted in the government-to-government relationship. Visit the official Indian Affairs website to register for upcoming consultation meetings! 

Additionally, you can review the official Dear Tribal Leader Letter for more information and context. Written comments can be submitted to consultation@bia.gov by May 24, 2024.