Welcome to NTEC!
Our members are sovereign, federally recognized tribes in the United States. There are 564 federally recognized tribes in the United States who possess and control approximately 55 million acres of land, and Alaska Native Corporations control 45 million acres. Tribal leaders and environmental and natural resource staff strive to protect human health and the natural environment within their homelands. Tribes play a critical role in managing their natural resources and protecting ecosystems for long-term sustainability.
Tribes possess inherent authority to protect the natural environment, but almost always choose to establish environmental programs with the assistance of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. NTEC advocates for EPA to consult with sovereign, federally recognized tribes in the development of those programs. Moreover, we strongly support the government-to-government relationship between tribes and federal agencies, and we are encouraged that these agencies are strengthening or establishing tribal consultation policies as required by presidential executive order.
While much of our policy and advocacy work is focused on federal statues, regulations, and policies, our foundation is built on tribal traditional cultural and spiritual values to live harmoniously in our natural world. Our challenge is to integrate our holistic worldview that "all things are connected" into a mainstream framework that separates the environment into media subjects.
Although we are a membership organization, we value our connections to many partners and the public. Our work is open to all sovereign, federally recognized tribes. We are pleased to support affiliate tribal organizations and to work in partnership with a wide array of regional and national tribal organizations, and environmental groups and organizations.
Thank you for visiting our website. If we may be of assistance, please contact us.
Regards,
Jerry Pardilla
Executive Director