Clinton orders agencies to work closely with Indian tribes

President Clinton issued an executive order Monday directing agencies to strengthen their relationships with American Indian tribes and to respect the sovereignty of tribal governments in carrying out federal regulations.

Clinton said that the federal government must grant Indian tribal governments the "maximum administrative discretion possible" when it comes to enforcing federal statutes and regulations.

"Today there is nothing more important in federal-tribal relations than fostering true government-to-government relations to empower American Indians and Alaska Natives to improve their own lives, the lives of their children and the generations to come," Clinton said in a statement.

The executive order prohibits agencies from proposing legislation that infringes on the policy-making rights of tribal governments or that imposes significant costs upon them. Each agency must also designate an official to consult with tribes on proposed regulations, taking tribal concerns into account in the rule-making process.

In May 1998, Clinton issued an executive order requiring agencies to consult with Indian tribal governments on issues affecting tribes.