K-12 STEM Education

INL Strategic Tribal Engagement (ISTE) Collaborative

Supporting respectful engagement with Tribal Nations through early, sustained and accountable partnerships.

The INL Strategic Tribal Engagement (ISTE) collaborative supports consistent and respectful engagement with Tribal Nations across the Idaho National Laboratory and the broader national laboratory system.

Engagement with Tribal Nations is a responsibility grounded in federal law, policy and the recognition of Tribal Nations as sovereign partners. ISTE helps laboratories align with these responsibilities by strengthening cultural understanding, supporting consultation processes and building long-term relationships based on trust, transparency and respect.

Mission

ISTE strengthens long-term, respectful partnerships with Tribal Nations by advancing early engagement, cultural understanding and alignment with federal responsibilities.

As an initiative supported by Idaho National Laboratory, ISTE promotes consistent, meaningful and sustained engagement that reflects Tribal sovereignty, supports Department of Energy consultation processes and contributes to improved project outcomes and community partnerships.

Why tribal engagement matters

Strong engagement with Tribal Nations:

Builds trust and long-term relationships with sovereign Nations
Supports compliance with DOE Order 144.1 and federal consultation requirements
Improves project outcomes through early engagement and risk reduction
Strengthens scientific work through the inclusion of Indigenous knowledge
Expands workforce development and community partnerships

Principles for engagement

All engagement supported through ISTE is guided by the following principles:

Respect for sovereignty — Recognize Tribal Nations as sovereign partners
Early and ongoing engagement — Engage at the earliest stages and maintain communication
Transparency and accountability — Provide clear information and follow through on commitments
Cultural respect — Honor traditions, protocols and perspectives
Long-term relationship building — Prioritize sustained partnerships
Compliance and ethics — Align with applicable laws and policies

Tribal sovereignty basics

Tribal Nations are sovereign Nations with inherent authority to govern themselves. This sovereignty predates the United States and is recognized through treaties, federal law and court decisions.

For national laboratories, this means Tribal Nations are not stakeholders but sovereign partners. Engagement must reflect this relationship by respecting Tribal governance, decision-making processes and cultural protocols.

Federal and DOE framework

ISTE aligns with federal laws, regulations and Department of Energy policies that guide engagement with Tribal Nations, including:

While formal consultation is the responsibility of federal agencies, national laboratories support this process by identifying potential impacts, sharing information and engaging early and consistently with Tribal Nations.

Who can be part of the ISTE Collaborative

ISTE supports collaboration across:

Engagement is coordinated to ensure consistency, accountability and alignment with federal responsibilities.

What success looks like

Effective engagement results in:

Trusted and sustained relationships with Tribal Nations
Early and consistent engagement across programs and projects
Increased Tribal participation in workforce and research initiatives
Demonstrated alignment with federal requirements and Tribal priorities

Get involved. Make an impact.

Join ISTEC to support early, meaningful and sustained Tribal engagement.

Contact Information

Elese Teton