“The California Natural Resources Agency is committed to early, often, and meaningful consultations with California Native American tribes with the goal of collaborative partnership and meaningful inclusion of tribal governments’ priorities and interests throughout the Agency’s work.”
- CNRA Tribal Consultation Policy
CNRA Tribal Consultation Policy
The California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA) and its departments, commissions, boards, and conservancies are committed to consulting and meaningfully engaging with California Native American tribes as it works to “help all Californians and nature thrive together” (CNRA Mission). California Native American tribes have lived and stewarded the lands, airs, and waters of what is known today as California since time immemorial and have a unique connection to and knowledge of the environment and the natural, cultural, and historical resources that CNRA and its departments protect, manage, and restore. As such, CNRA and its departments are responsible for consulting with California Native American tribes.
The CNRA Tribal Consultation Policy serves as a foundation for all CNRA departments to build department-specific policies. One of the Policy’s primary goals is to ensure consistent consultations across CNRA departments and encourage inter-departmental collaboration when consulting with tribes. The Policy defines consultation, when to consult, consultation authority, and the roles and responsibilities of CNRA and department tribal liaisons.
Tribal Consultation Policy Appendices
Several appendices accompany the CNRA Tribal Consultation Policy: 1) Appendix 1 - Definitions, 2) Appendix 2 - Tribal Consultation Best Practices, and 3) Appendix 3 - Cultural Humility Best Practices.
Appendix-1-Definitions provides a quick glossary of common terms used throughout the Tribal Consultation Policy and Appendix 2 - Tribal Consultation Best Practices.
Appendix-2-Tribal Consultation Best Practices expands upon the consultation objectives and framework listed in the Tribal Consultation Policy. The purpose of Appendix 2 is to provide CNRA and CNRA department staff with guidance on how to appropriately and respectfully engage and consult with California Native American tribes in a manner that is consistent with the Policy.
Appendix 2 includes additional background information regarding pertinent tribal consultation state laws and executive orders referenced in the Policy; expands upon the definitions of “early,” “often,” and “meaningful;” guides department staff through the preparation, consultation, and post-consultation process; provides basic consultation meeting principles as well as potential consultation and engagement models; and considers potential consultation challenges state or tribal staff may encounter during the consultation process.
Appendix-3-Cultural Humility Cultural humility is an attitude of humility and respect toward other cultures that pushes one to challenge their own cultural biases, realize they cannot possibly know everything about other cultures and approach learning about other cultures as a lifelong goal and process. Not to be confused with the concept of cultural competency, which may implicitly place non-western cultures as “other” cultures that can possibly be mastered with enough effort. Appendix 3 provides a non-exhaustive list of best practices that should be considered and employed by CNRA and department staff to effectively practice cultural humility.
For additional information or questions concerning the CNRA’s Tribal Consultation Policy, please contact tribalaffairs@resources.ca.gov.
For additional information regarding department-specific tribal consultation policies, please contact the respective department. More information regarding existing CNRA department-specific tribal consultation policies and tribal liaison points of contact may be found here: https://resources.ca.gov/Initiatives/Tribalaffairs/PointsofContacts.
