Tribal Relations

The Tribal Relations Program 

OII Tribal Relations program reflects OII’s commitment to building government-to-government relationships with all 29 federally recognized tribes in Washington. OII will consult with tribes on areas of mutual interest, consistent with the Centennial Accord. 

The Tribal Relations program will also work with OII's Family Liaison program and Investigations Division to ensure culturally appropriate support and tribal-centered services on individual cases when preferred. 

What to Expect from our Tribal Liaisons 

The Director of Tribal Relations is involved in all leadership decisions and policy reviews. They will ensure ongoing communication and collaboration with Washington's federally recognized tribes.

Tribal liaisons will also keep tribal leadership, and tribal police when appropriate, updated on OII investigations and can be the point of contact for impacted tribal families if requested.

Other Services

• Alert tribal leadership when an investigation affects a tribal member.
   
• Notify the Government of Indian Affairs within 24 hours if a tribal member has died during a use of deadly force incident.
   
• Connect with tribal families impacted by law enforcement use of deadly force. 
   
• Respond to an incident for cultural and traditional support on loss when feasible and appropriate. 
   
• Serve as a liaison between OII investigators and tribal leadership or police when investigators are seeking to interview tribal members or enter tribal land. 
   
• Ensure that impacted tribal families have an opportunity to meet with OII investigators at the conclusion of an investigation to ask questions and gain an understanding of what occurred and what investigative steps were taken.
   

Washington Tribes and OII Regions of Operation's Map 

Resources

The following resources were developed by other organizations and are offered as potential tools for help.