Our Mission
The Secretary’s Tribal Advisory Committee (STAC) provides an essential forum for strategic, government-to-government engagement between Tribal Nations and the Department of the Interior (Department). The STAC supports regular consultation, exchange of ideas, and delivery of strategic advice to the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) as the Department advances the President’s priorities and the goals of the current Administration. The STAC will focus on providing high-level strategic guidance to the Secretary, complementing ongoing engagement efforts and helping ensure policies and initiatives reflect Tribal perspectives and priorities.
The STAC is composed of one tribal representative from each of the 12 Bureau of Indian Affairs Regions. The members are appointed for terms up to three years. Additionally, the Secretary may, at his or her discretion, appoint elected Tribal leaders in their official capacity or designated employees authorized to act on their behalf to the STAC, provided these individuals possess demonstrated knowledge or experience in one of the following areas: Tribal Economic Development, Energy Development, Public Safety, Education and Indian Probate for trust assets. The Secretary, in consultation with the Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs, will designate one member of the STAC to serve as chairperson and one member to serve as vice chair.
Current STAC Tribal Members
Alaska Region
Member: Vacant
Eastern Region
Member: Vacant
Eastern Oklahoma Region
- Member: Vacant
Great Plains Region
Member: Vacant
Midwest Region
Member: Vacant
Navajo Region
- Member: Vacant
Northwest Region
- Member: Vacant
Pacific Region
Member: Vacant
Rocky Mountain Region
Member: Vacant
Southern Plains Region
Member: Vacant
Southwest Region
Member: Vacant
Western Region
Member: Vacant
Call for New Nominations
Following a comprehensive review of the STAC’s structure and functions, the Department is reconstituting the STAC and implementing updates to strengthen the STAC’s effectiveness and streamline its operations. Consequently, the Department is calling for nominations for new representatives from each of the 12 Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) regions. The Department is seeking applicants who bring strong leadership and expertise related to this Administration’s priorities as they relate to Indian Country. In addition to regional location, the Department is seeking nominations for individuals with proven knowledge or experience in the following areas:
- Advancing economic development in Tribal communities;
- Enhancing Tribal self-sufficiency through energy development;
- Strengthening public safety in Tribal communities;
- Improving educational outcomes for our students; and
- Streamlining and modernizing the probate process for trust assets.
Nomination Packet Requirements
Interested applicants must be an elected Tribal official from one of the 12 BIA regions or should be either a Tribal official or a designated employee authorized to act on their behalf, provided these individuals possess demonstrated knowledge or experience in Tribal Economic Development, Energy Development, Public Safety, Education, or Indian Probate for trust assets.
A complete nomination package should include the following information about each nominee:
- The BIA region or area of expertise for which the nominee is being considered.
- The nominee’s full legal name, title, contact information (to include phone number and email address), geographic location, and Tribal affiliation.
- A résumé that describes the nominee’s qualifications and technical experience.
- A personal statement of the reasons why the nominee wants to serve on STAC, including (1) examples of work and (2) technical and/or professional experience at the local, Tribal, or urban community level, and/or regional or national levels.
The Secretary will only consider complete nomination packages. Upon review of the nominations received, the Secretary retains sole discretion to appoint the individuals selected to serve on the STAC.
Submission Information
The nomination package for STAC membership must be submitted to the Office of Intergovernmental and External Affairs (OIEA) in an official letter from the Tribe by July 31, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET to the following e-mail: oiea@ios.doi.gov.
If you have questions, contact Jarrod Lowrey, Senior Advisor, Office of the Assistant Secretary – Indian Affairs, at STAC@ios.doi.gov and please include “STAC Application – [Insert BIA Region or area of subject-matter expertise]” in the subject line.
