[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 130 (Thursday, July 6, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 41668-41669]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-16969]


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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

[FCC 00-207]


Establishing a Government-to-Government Relationship With Indian 
Tribes

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This document reaffirms the Commission's respect for and 
commitment to the principles of tribal sovereignty and the federal 
trust responsibility, and establishes a government-to-government 
relationship between the Commission and federally-recognized Indian 
tribes. In an effort to embrace this unique relationship with and 
responsibility to Indian tribes, the Commission will endeavor to work 
with Indian tribes on a government-to-government basis to ensure that 
Indian tribes have adequate access to communications services, and will 
to the extent practicable consult with tribal governments prior to 
implementing any regulatory action or policy that will significantly or 
uniquely affect Indian tribes. Furthermore, this document calls for the 
FCC to endeavor to identify innovative mechanisms to facilitate tribal 
consultation and streamline its administrative processes and procedures 
to remove undue burdens on Indian tribes. In addition, the FCC will 
also assist Indian tribes in complying with Federal communications 
statutes and regulations, and educate Commission staff about the 
fundamental principles governing the relationship between Indian tribes 
and the federal government.

DATES: Effective June 23, 2000.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steven Rangel at (202) 418-1700 or via 
internet at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a summary of the Commission's Policy 
Statement, FCC 00-207, adopted June 8, 2000; released June 23, 2000. 
The full text of the Commission's Policy Statement is available for 
inspection and copying during normal business hours in the FCC 
Reference Center (Room CY-A257) at its headquarters,

[[Page 41669]]

445 12th Street, SW, Washington, D.C. 20554, or may be purchased from 
the Commission's copy contractor, International Transcription Service, 
Inc., (202) 857-3800, 1231 20th Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20036, or 
may be reviewed via internet at http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/OGC/Orders/2000/fcc00207.doc. This document is available to individuals with 
disabilities requiring accessible formats (electronic ASCII text, 
Braille, large print, and audiocassette) by contacting Brian Millin at 
(202) 418-7426 (Voice), (202) 418-7365 (TTY), or by sending an email to 
[email protected]. Synopsis of the Policy Statement:

I. Reaffirmation of Principles of Tribal Sovereignty and the 
Federal Trust Responsibility

    The Commission recognizes the unique legal relationship that exists 
between the federal government and Indian Tribal governments, as 
reflected in the Constitution of the United States, treaties, federal 
statutes, Executive orders, and numerous court decisions. As domestic 
dependant nations, Indian Tribes exercise inherent sovereign powers 
over their members and territory. The federal government has a federal 
trust relationship with Indian Tribes, and this historic trust 
relationship requires the federal government to adhere to certain 
fiduciary standards in its dealings with Indian Tribes. In this regard, 
the Commission recognizes that the federal government has a 
longstanding policy of promoting tribal self-sufficiency and economic 
development as embodied in various federal statutes.
    The Commission also recognizes that the Federally Recognized Indian 
Tribe List Act of 1994, makes a finding that the federal government has 
a trust responsibility to and a government-to-government relationship 
with recognized tribes.
    Therefore, as an independent agency of the federal government, the 
Commission recognizes its own general trust relationship with, and 
responsibility to, federally-recognized Indian Tribes. The Commission 
also recognizes the rights of Indian Tribal governments to set their 
own communications priorities and goals for the welfare of their 
membership.
    Commission's Proposals. None

Federal Communications Commission.
Magalie Roman Salas,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 00-16969 Filed 7-5-00; 8:45 am]
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