Tribal governments, their business enterprises, their members, and firms that want to do business in Indian Country can tap into the vast resources of the bureaus of the Department of Commerce to create jobs on and off-reservation. From grants from the National Telecommunications & Information Administration to develop broadband infrastructure, to data resources available from the Census Bureau to inform tribal policy-makers, to overseas market development assistance through the International Trade Administration and funding opportunities available through the Economic Development Administration and the Minority Business Development Agency, the department’s resources help tribes and their citizens create conditions conducive to business development and to seize opportunities in America and abroad.

The department’s partnerships with tribes and firms that want to do business in Indian Country is led by the Secretary’s Senior Advisor on Native American Affairs. The Office of the Secretary’s Senior Advisor on Native American Affairs is responsible for:

1. Coordinating and communicating all Native American issues directly with tribes and across all the bureaus within the Department of Commerce as well as externally with all other federal agencies
2. Coordinating and implementing the department’s Tribal Consultation Policy Plan and consultation sessions
3. Serving as the primary contact for all Tribal Consultation actions and issues
4. Serving as the facilitator of the Office of Native American Business Development by assisting and consulting with Indian Country in leveraging the combined efforts of the federal programs, tribal governments, private sector businesses and financing in order to promote economic growth for Tribes and Native Americans

Policy

When tribal governments are empowered to effectively self-govern by building vibrant and sustainable economies, we all win. The Department of Commerce recognizes the advances tribal governments have made since the enactment of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act in 1975 and seeks to assist tribes in developing their economies so that the goals of the Self-Determination Era could be fully realized by every tribal nation that chooses self-governance. The department also takes seriously the United States' trust responsibility to the various Indian tribes and Native peoples of our country and adheres to Executive Order (E.O.) No. 13175, “Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments” (November 6, 2000).

• Tribal Consultation and Coordination Policy (PDF)
• Tribal Leader Letter (PDF)

Department Resources for Tribes

Each bureau within the Department contains resources that can assist tribes in developing their economies and effectively governing themselves. Bureau-by-Bureau links and contacts are listed below.

• Office of the Secretary
  • Max Walker, Intergovernmental Affairs Advisor, mwalker1@doc.gov

Economic and Infrastructure Development, Business Resources and Technical Assistance, Market Access

• Economic Development Administration (EDA)
  • Carolee Wenderoth, Tribal Engagement Coordinator, CWenderoth1@eda.gov
• International Trade Administration (ITA)
  • Sean Brady, Director of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs, sean.brady@trade.gov
• National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA)
  • Rebecca Seewald, Intergovernmental Affairs Advisor, rseewald@ntia.gov
•  

Natural and Cultural Resources Protection

• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
  • NOAA Tribal Relations
  • Becky Cruz Lizama, Senior Tribal Liaison, becky.lizama@noaa.gov   

Statistical Resources and National Security

• Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA)
  • Thomas Dail, Public Information Officer, Thomas.Dail@bea.gov
• Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS)
  • Tribal Liaison: N/A
• U.S. Census Bureau
  • American Indian and Alaska Native Resources
  • Dee Alexander, Tribal Affairs Coordinator, dee.a.alexander@census.gov
• FirstNet
  • Jack Cobb, Intergovernmental Affairs Specialist, john.cobb@firstnet.gov
• National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
  • NIST Congressional & Legislative Affairs Office, nistcla@nist.gov
• National Technical Information Service (NTIS)
  • Tribal Liaison: N/A
• Office of the Under Secretary for Economic Affairs
  • Tribal Liaison: N/A

Intellectual Property

• U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)
  • Susan Anthony, Tribal Affairs Liaison, susan.anthony@uspto.gov