Tribal Affairs

Tribal Affairs Intro

  • "We can’t call our state successful unless we work in full partnership with Michigan tribes."

    – Governor Whitmer

    Gov. Whitmer signing ED 2019-17, the Tribal Relations Accord with representatives of Tribal Nations.

     

    Michigan is home to twelve federally recognized Indian tribes, each a sovereign government with an inherent right to self-governance and self-determination. Each of these tribes has its own governing structure, culture, traditions, laws, regulations, and policies which it uses to exercise jurisdiction.

    The State of Michigan shares a responsibility with Michigan’s federally recognized Indian tribes to provide for and protect the health, safety, and welfare of tribal community members. This responsibility is deeply important and calls for open communication and robust collaboration. To this end, on October 31, 2019, Governor Whitmer signed Executive Directive 2019-17. This Executive Directive builds on the Government to Government Accord of October 28, 2002 entered into with each of Michigan’s tribes, and it requires that each state department and agency adopt a formal tribal consultation policy.

     

Tribal Governments