Presidential Documents
Government-to-Government Relations With
Native American Tribal Governments
Memorandum for the Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies
The United States Government has a unique legal relationship with Native American tribal governments as set forth in the
Constitution of the United States, treaties, statutes, and court decisions. As executive departments and agencies undertake
activities affecting Native American tribal rights or trust resources, such activities should be implemented in a knowledgeable,
sensitive manner respectful of tribal sovereignty. Today, as part of an historic meeting, I am outlining principles that executive
departments and agencies, including every component bureau and office, are to follow in their interactions with Native American
tribal governments. The purpose of these principles is to clarify our responsibility to ensure that the Federal Government operates
within a government-to-government relationship with federally recognized Native American tribes. I am strongly committed to
building a more effective day-to-day working relationship reflecting respect for the rights of self-government due the sovereign
tribal governments.
In order to ensure that the rights of sovereign tribal governments are fully respected, executive branch activities shall be guided
by the following:
The head of each executive department and agency shall ensure that the department or agency's bureaus and components are fully
aware of this memorandum, through publication or other means, and that they are in compliance with its requirements.
This memorandum is intended only to improve the internal management of the executive branch and is not intended to, and does
not, create any right to administrative or judicial review, or any other right or benefit or trust responsibility, substantive or
procedural, enforceable by a party against the United States, its agencies or instrumentalities, its officers or employees, or any
other person.
The Director of the Office of Management and Budget is authorized and directed to publish this memorandum in the Federal
Register.
William J. Clinton
THE WHITE HOUSE
Washington, April 29, 1994