Source: USDA, 4/4/22

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announces the “USDA Tribal Consultations on Barriers/Equity: Annual Progress Report & Feedback for Next Steps.” This five-day consultation series follows up on the March 2021 consultations held in response to President Biden’s Executive Order on Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities. Tribal leaders have requested USDA affirm how staff are incorporating tribal input on barriers to effectively accessing programs. From April 11 through 18, USDA Consulting Officials will highlight progress made since last year’s consultation and discuss potential solutions for ongoing issues with tribal nation representatives.

“For too long, tribal nations and individuals have had barriers to USDA services and programs,” said USDA Office of Tribal Relations Director Heather Dawn Thompson. “In addition to these consultations, we are conducting a top-to-bottom review of our statutory authorities to see where we can empower tribal nations and support tribal self-determination through our programs.”

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