A unique government-to-government relationship exists between American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) Tribes and the Federal government. The government-to-government relationship is political and independent of race or ethnicity. This relationship is grounded in the United States Constitution, numerous treaties, statutes, federal case law, regulations, and Executive Orders, as well as political, legal, moral, and ethical principles. To support this ongoing relationship, ACF has established an Agency Workgroup titled the Native American Affairs Advisory Council (NAAAC) and the ACF Tribal Advisory Committee (TAC). Learn more about the ACF TAC and NAAAC below.
ACF Tribal Advisory Committee
ACF’s Tribal Advisory Committee (TAC) was established under the Secretary’s Tribal Advisory Committee (STAC) Rules of Order, per the Acting Assistant Secretary’s Memorandum of March 7, 2013. The ACF TAC’s primary purpose is to seek consensus, exchange views, share information, provide advice and/or recommendations; or facilitate any other interaction related to intergovernmental responsibilities or administration of ACF programs, including those that arise explicitly or implicitly under statute, regulation, or Executive Order. This purpose is accomplished through fora, meetings, and conversations between Federal officials and elected Tribal leaders in their official capacity. The ACF TAC is comprised of thirteen positions filled by voluntary representatives: one delegate (and one alternate) from each of 11 Indian Health Service regions and one delegate (and one alternate) for two National At-Large Tribal Member (NALM) positions. You can explore the ACF TAC documents below.
- Charter
- Rules of Order (DOCX)
- Strategic Priorities (PDF)
ACF Native American Affairs Advisory Council
ACF’s Native American Affairs Advisory Council (NAAAC) was established as an Agency Workgroup to support both ACF’s Assistant Secretary and the Assistant Secretary of Tribal Affairs (which also serves as the Commissioner for the Administration for Native Americans) to respond to requests for information from the HHS Secretary’s Interdepartmental Council on Native American Affairs, the Office of the Secretary, the Office of Intergovernmental and External Affairs, the White House, or other federal Departments or ACF Programs that serve Tribes and Native American Communities. You can find the NAAAC’s charter and contact list below.