As wildfire practitioners and residents of Washington, it is our responsibility to recognize that fire has been used on the land here for thousands of years. As we work to build wildfire resilience in our state, partnerships with the Tribal Nations that have lived here since time immemorial are vital.
To get started, here are 5 quick tips for fostering meaningful working relationships with Tribal Nations:
- Meet in person
- Come to listen
- Be flexible
- Offer instead of ask
- Keep your promises
Of course, effective tribal engagement takes concerted effort and investment of time and energy. We suggest watching the webinar linked below and reading through the resources provided as just a first step in learning more.
Lessons From the Puget Sound: Tribal Engagement
Two special guests from the Puget Sound Partnership, Lea Anne Burke (Lumbee) and Melissa Speeg, share their experiences working with tribal governments.
In the Spring of 2025, WAFAC hosted a Tribal Engagement Training, led by The Whitener Group, a Native-owned consultant group. The following guides provide a brief review of key concepts and lessons learned relevant to those who work in natural resources looking to further develop their engagement with Tribal Nations.
Resources
- ICT: An independent, nonprofit news enterprise that covers the stories of Indigenous peoples
- SAMHSA American Indian and Alaska Native Culture Card: a cultural competence guide for those serving American Indian and Alaska Native communities
- Finding Common Ground: Collaborative Leaderships in Washington State: a documentary covering the history of collaborative governance of salmon and other natural resources.
- Governor’s Office of Indian Affairs Website: news, updates, and information
