A group approach would dilute rather than strengthen government to government relationships with tribes. The process does not encourage self-governance by tribes. And finally, any effort to shift available funding without taking into account tribal goals and objectives of each individually affected tribe is inappropriate. The United States has a unique legal relationship with Indian tribal governments as set forth in the constitution of the United States, treaties, statutes, Executive Orders, and court decisions. The Federal Government has enacted numerous statutes and promulgated numerous regulations that establish and define a trust relationship with Indian tribes that recognize the right of Indian tribes to be self-governed.
Indian tribes exercise inherent sovereign powers over their members and territory.
Any efforts to rank or prioritize Indian communities or projects must involve tribal consultation with affected tribes. The application of a national ranking system to prioritize communities within Indian Country has merit. However, the application of a ranking system in states that lumps Indian and non-Indian communities within each State would be a difficult endeavor. The shifting of funding between bureaus based on state priorities, or the apparent implication of such a rationale, would not be considered acceptable from a tribal perspective. The BIA is organized and experienced in the consultation process.