Dear Tribal Leader Letter

The U.S. Department ofthe Interior (Department) seeks Tribal and stakeholder input regarding the implementation ofthe Indian Boarding School Initiative (Initiative) that Secretary ofthe Interior Deb Haaland announced in June 2021.1 The Initiative’s purpose is an initial collection and review of Department documents and records, and compilation of its existing data. These are first steps in addressing Indian boarding school policies and their effects as part of the Department’s report due to the Secretary by April 1, 2022.

The Department will conduct the webinar consultation sessions listed below and will accept oral and written comments. Please register in advance for any consultation session you plan on attending. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. Please note that these Tribal consultations will be closed to the press and the public to protect confidential information that may be discussed during the sessions.

The consultation schedule is:

• Tuesday, November 17
  1 :00 p.m. -5 :00 p.m. ET
  Please register in advance
• Thursday, November 18
  1 :00 p.m. -5 :00 p.m. ET
  Please register in advance
• Tuesday, November 23, 2021
  1:00 p.m. -5:00 p.m. ET
  Please register in advance

You may provide written input by Friday, December 17, 2021 to consultation@bia.gov. If you have questions regarding this effort, please contact Heidi Todacheene, Senior Advisor to the Assistant Secretary -Indian Affairs, by email at Heidi_Todacheene@ios.doi.gov or by phone at (202) 208-7163.