WASHINGTON, DC—Tribal relations is everyone’s job. While every Forest Service employee shares in the federal government’s trust responsibility to tribal nations, the roles and responsibilities of individual staff members aren’t always clear. That is why the Office of Tribal Relations developed the “Forest Service Tribal Relations” mobile application, which is now available for download on both Forest Service and personal mobile devices. The “FS Tribal Relations” app is your mobile guide to key resources in tribal relations. Whether you are a line officer preparing for your first consultation with a tribe, a new forest tribal liaison or a long-standing employee who wants to learn more about tribal relations at the Forest Service, the tribal relations mobile app is a tool for you.

Tribal relations is a complex and multi-faceted world. With simple content organization, easy navigation, and a search feature, the new app provides a framework of tribal relations at the Forest Service right at your fingertips. The app outlines roles and responsibilities in the government-to-government relationship between the Forest Service and tribal nations, cites relevant policies, and collates various tribal partnership authorities and funding opportunities. This resource is designed to complement local knowledge and relationships by laying out the foundation on which tribal relations at the agency is built. Meetings with tribal representatives often happen at field locations where connectivity is limited. Once downloaded, the app can be used offline at sites with no cell service so you can get answers right away.

Office of Tribal Relations Director Reed Robinson said, “We have elevated opportunities to strengthen relationships between the Forest Service and Tribal Nations. With so many opportunities coming our way and an anticipated uptick in workload, we want to make Forest Service staff jobs easier by providing the resources and information needed to help foster successful tribal relationships. Our hope is that the release of the tribal relations mobile app will result in better service to tribal governments.”

The app is available for Apple and Android devices now. Search for “FS Tribal Relations” on your mobile device and download today!