Tribal Relations

The Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs is committed to strengthening relationships with the tribes in Arizona through effective collaboration and communication. The Department recognizes the government-to-government responsibilities we have with our tribal partners, and seek to sustain and strengthen our leader-to-leader engagements. Our goal is to exceed our consultation responsibilities as they relate to the Department’s land use through our National Guard training requirements and support tribal governments in the coordination of emergency management services with county, state, and federal partners as appropriate to reduce the impact of disasters to tribal culture, land, persons, and property.

To achieve this goal the Department has a Tribal Liaison who supports the interests of the Arizona Army National Guard, the Arizona Air National Guard, and all aspects of Emergency Management to include preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation. During Face-to-Face meetings, the Tribal Liaison and appropriate Department personnel speak with Tribal Leaders, Tribal Cultural Preservation Officers, and Tribal Emergency Managers to consult on Department land use activities and learn about their Emergency Management program and any potential needs they may have. Our intent is to frequently  share information and promote regular Department outreach by discussing current and future land use activities, agreements that support future consultation, grant opportunities, emergency management training and exercise opportunities, and the Arizona Mutual Aid Compact (AZMAC).

The desired outcome for regular engagement is to ensure the Department has a leader-to-leader relationship with Tribal leaders, that our Army and Air National Guard Cultural Resource Managers regularly meet with our respective Tribal Cultural Preservation Officers, and Tribal Emergency Managers are connected with their peers within the Division of Emergency Management so that timely assistance and coordination can be provided during a natural disaster or emergency.