Tribal Liaison

Four federally recognized tribal nations exist in North Dakota: the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa, Three Affiliated Tribes - Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation, the Spirit Lake Nation, and the Standing Rock Sioux Nation. The state is also home to the Trenton Indian Service Area.

The North Dakota Department of Human Services has employed a tribal liaison since 1997 to enhance working relationships and communication between tribal governments and tribal social service programs and the Department.

The Department's Tribal Liaison:

• Reports to Department Executive Director Carol K. Olson and works closely with all Department divisions
• Specializes in Human Services issues and serves as a contact point for tribal entities on matters related to the Department’s programs and services
• Provides information and assistance related to Human Services
• Connects tribal programs and tribal governments with appropriate contacts in the N.D. Department of Human Services
• Advises Department managers and staff about culturally acceptable protocols
• Works to enhance the cultural competency of people employed in human services
• Participates in the Department’s Policy Review Committee to bring awareness of a Native American perspective on proposed policies
• Is also designated as the Department’s Program Civil Rights Officer.

  Civil Rights Officer / Program ADA / 504 Coordinator Responsibilities:

  • Works to ensure that the Department respects individual civil rights
  • Directs the implementation of program civil rights and ADA/Section 504 requirements
  • Responds to complaints and concerns related to program civil rights
  • Evaluates Department policy for civil rights compliance
  • See the Department’s Nondiscrimination Policy & Civil Rights Contact Information
  • See the Department's Limited English Proficiency Implementation Plan (200Kb pdf)

In contrast, the Executive Director of the North Dakota Indian Affairs Commission, a distinct and separate state agency, acts as the liaison between all state executive branch agencies and the tribes in North Dakota.

Many division directors meet regularly with their tribal contemporaries.  The N.D. Department of Human Services regularly partners with the Native American Training Institute for training, the Indian Child Welfare Act conference, and other educational efforts. The Tribal Liaison works to make Department and County human services employees aware of training opportunities.

Contact

Theresa Snyder
Tribal Liaison North Dakota Department of Human Services
600 E Boulevard Avenue
Bismarck ND 58505-0250
Phone: (701) 328-1816
Toll Free: (800) 755-2671
TTY: (701) 328-3480
sosnyt@nd.gov

Related Information

• Booklet: Journey to Understanding - An Introduction to North Dakota Tribes (2.39 Mb pdf)
  • Produced for the department by the Native American Training Institute, this cultural training booklet is available in paperback by contacting dhseo@nd.gov
• Brochure: Understanding the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) (317kb pdf)
• Forms: Indian Child Welfare Act

Directories of Tribal Social Service Agencies

• Indian tribes represent unique legal entities in the United States.
• Tribes are distinct political communities with extensive powers of self government.
• There are four reservations and one Indian service area located in North Dakota.

The directories below are not all inclusive, but may be useful to locate social service agencies and other resources.

• Spirit Lake Nation (12kb pdf)
• Standing Rock (12kb pdf)
• Three Affiliated Tribes (16kb pdf)
• Trenton Indian Service Area (16kb pdf)
• Tribal Social Service Agencies (36kb pdf)
• Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa (16kb pdf)

 

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