Thursday, September 19 at Virginia Crossings Hotel & Conference Center
Register to attend virtually or in-person

Pathways to Partnership:
Enhancing Trust through Tribal Consultation

The 2024 Virginia General Assembly passed HB1157 with bipartisan support: a bill affirming the Commonwealth’s obligation to consult with federally recognized Tribal Nations before granting state permits for projects that may impact tribal cultural, historical, and environmental interests. Governor Glenn Youngkin signed the bill into a law that will take effect July 1, 2024. What does this mean for state and local agencies and the tribes in Virginia? What does it look like when it’s working well? Why is it necessary? These questions, and more, will be addressed through the presentations of speakers – from Virginia Tribes to agencies and other professionals in the field.

Consistent with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), consent is the most appropriate and preferred diplomacy tool between sovereign governments. However, consultation is currently the most commonly used diplomacy tool to proactively protect the inherent sovereign interests and rights of Tribal Nations, so it is imperative that it is meaningful and robust. Director Carroll will open the conference with a discussion on the importance of consultation as part of building strong, respectful, and healthy relationships between governments, including how it can be most effectively used for both federal and state relations.