Culture and Heritage
While the practice of spiritual and ceremonial traditions and beliefs varies significantly among USET SPF Tribal Nations, our spirituality is overwhelmingly place-based. From the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians’ Nanih Waiyah mounds to the ceremonial stone landscapes of New England, each member Tribal Nation has specific places and locations that we consider sacred. These places are often the sites of our origin stories, our places of creation. As such, we believe that we have been in these places since time immemorial. Through these sites, we are inextricably linked to our spirituality, the practice of our religions, and to the foundations of our cultural beliefs and values. Our sacred sites are of greatest importance as they hold the bones and spirit of our ancestors and we must ensure their protection, as that is our sacred duty. As our federal partner in this unique government-to-government relationship, it is also incumbent upon all branches of the U.S. government to ensure the protection of these sites.
Comments
2025
- Reply Comments on the FCC NPRM to Modernize NEPA Rules – October 3, 2025
- Comments to NOAA on Updating NEPA Implementing Regulations – August 27, 2025
- Comments to DOT on its Notice to Update NEPA Implementing Regulations – August 4, 2025
- Comments to USACE on its Interim Final Rule for Implementing NEPA and Processing of Department of the Army Permits – August 4, 2025
- Comments on DOI Interim Final Rule to Rescind its NEPA Implementing Regulations – August 4, 2025
- Comments on DOE’s Interim Final Rule to Revise NEPA Implementing Procedures – August 4, 2025
- Comments to USDA on its Interim Final Rule Implementing NEPA Regulations – July 30, 2025
- Comments on DOI Workforce Efficiency Initiative and Emergency Permitting Procedures – July 7, 2025
- Comments to CEQ on NEPA Regulatory Authority – March 27, 2025
- Comments to USPTO on WIPO Treaty – April 28, 2025
2024
- Comments to DOI on Updating Climate Adaptation Plan – April 5, 2024
- Comments to DHS on its Revised Draft Sec. 106 NHPA NPA for CRS Undertakings – February 27, 2024
- Comments to USACE on Rescission of Appendix C Regulations – April 9, 2024
- Comments to DOI on Gathering Survivor Narratives of Federal Indian Boarding Schools – April 11, 2024
- Comments to USPTO on Genetic Resources, Indigenous Knowledge, and Traditional Cultural Expressions – February 23, 2024
- Comments to USDA on Tribal Barriers to Access USDA Programs and Services – May 24, 2024
- Comments to DOI on Developing a Framework Scientific Integrity Policy – May 31, 2024
- Comments to DoD on Draft Environmental Justice Policy – July 9, 2024
- Comments to DOI on STOP Act Implementation Regulations, RIN 1076-AF78 – December 20, 2024
2023
- Comments to FPISC re: Funding Transfers to Tribes for FAST-41 Projects – March 10, 2023
- Comments to Department of Education Regarding Native Language Resource Center – February 10, 2023
- Comments on NAGPRA Proposed Rule – January 31, 2023
- Comments to EPA on Proposed Revisions to its Tribal Consultation Policy and Tribal Treaty Rights Guidance – July 21, 2023
- Comments to CEQ on Proposed NEPA Phase II Revisions – September 29, 2023
- Comments on WHCNAA Draft Sacred Sites Best Practices Guide – September 29, 2023
- Comments to Treasury on the 2023 Interim Final Rule for the FRF Program – October 13, 2023
- Comments to DHS on Draft Sec. 106 NHPA Nationwide Programmatic Agreement – October 20, 2023
- Comments to BSEE on Drafting an EJ Strategy and Action Plan – November 16, 2023
2022
- Comments to DOI re: implementation of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) – February 4, 2022
- Comments to NOAA re: Tribal Consultation Handbook and Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) Guidance Policies and Procedures – February 24, 2022
- Comments to ACHP re: Draft Exemption from Historic Preservation Review for Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) – June 3, 2022
- Comments to White House OSTP and CEQ on Developing Guidance for Federal Agencies Integrating ITEK – May 5, 2022
- Comments on White House Indigenous Knowledge Guidance – October 11, 2022
- Comments on Nature-Based Solutions Report – September 15, 2022
- Comments to WHCNAA re: TRR MOU – October 21, 2022
- Comments on DHS Handling of Sacred Items – December 15, 2022
- Comments to CEQ/OSTP on Ocean Climate Action Plan – December 15, 2022
2021
- Comments to NTIA on Tribal Broadband Connectivity Grant Program – February 11, 2021
- Comments: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Creation of the Office of Public Participation – April 23, 2021
- Comments to DOI on Proposed Revisions to NAGPRA – September 30, 2021
- Comments on DOI Indian Boarding School Initiative – December 16, 2021
- Comments to the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) re: Proposed Revisions to the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) Regulations and NEPA 2020 Final Rule – November 22, 2021
2020
- Comments to NTIA on Tribal Broadband Connectivity Grant Program – February 11, 2021
- Comments: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Creation of the Office of Public Participation – April 23, 2021
- Comments to DOI on Proposed Revisions to NAGPRA – September 30, 2021
- Comments on DOI Indian Boarding School Initiative – December 16, 2021
- Comments to the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) re: Proposed Revisions to the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) Regulations and NEPA 2020 Final Rule – November 22, 2021
Testimony
2025
2023
- Testimony for the Record of the House Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources Hearing on “Safeguarding American Jobs and Economic Growth: Examining the Future of the Offshore Leasing Program” – July 27, 2023
- Testimony for the Record of the Senate ENR Hearing to “Examine Opportunities for Congress to Reform the Process for Permitting Electric Transmission Lines, Pipelines, and Energy Production on Federal Lands” – July 26, 2023
- Testimony for the Record of Senate ENR Hearing to “Examine Federal Offshore Energy Strategies and Policies” – October 26, 2023
2021
- Testimony for the Record of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs Oversight Hearing, “A call to action: Native communities’ priorities in focus for the 117th Congress” – March 24, 2021
- Testimony of Dr. Casey Thornbrugh, USET, before the House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis for the Hearing, “Tribal Voices, Tribal Wisdom: Strategies for the Climate Crisis” – November 18, 2021
2020
Letters
2025
2024
2023
2021
2020
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