DNR works toward collaborative relationships and good communication with Tribes in all its programs, at all levels across the agency. The department recognizes the Tribes' separate rights and authorities and maintains government-to-government relations with the 29 recognized Indian Tribes residing in the state of Washington as well as other interested Indian Tribes outside of the state of Washington.
The Centennial Accord was established in 1989 through the governor and the signatory tribes. In addition, the Commissioner of Public Lands also recognizes the department's relationship with Washington's sovereign tribes with an official Commissioner's Order on Tribal Relations. The Commissioner's Order serves as the department's overall tribal relations policy and commits the department to conduct relations with the tribes as one government to another. Building on the foundation that the Centennial Accord provided, the Governor and tribes met in 1999 to again express their desire to build stronger working relationships by adopting the Millennium Agreement. These various documents provide the context for DNR's tribal relations program.
DNR’s Tribal Relations Manager coordinates these efforts for the agency.