Welcome

NASA is committed to recognizing and respecting the sovereignty of Indian nations, their rights to self-determination and self-governance, and to fulfilling federal trust responsibilities through environmental stewardship, consideration of the communities surrounding NASA facilities, and the protection and preservation of tribal rights, lands, and resources. 

News

Nicole Aunapu Mann was selected as one of the eight members of the NASA Astronaut Group 21 in June 2013. She launched to the International Space Station as commander of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-5 mission aboard the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft on October 5, 2022.

The California native is a member of the Wailacki of the Round Valley Indian Tribes. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering. Mann is a Colonel in the U.S. Marine Corps and served as a test pilot in the F/A-18 Hornet and Super Hornet. She deployed twice aboard aircraft carriers in support of combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Find Col. Mann’s full biography here.

NASA Plan of Action for the Implementation of Executive Order 13175

In accordance with the 2021 Presidential Memorandum on Tribal Consultation and Strengthening Nation-to-Nation Relationships, NASA has started developing a plan of action, in consultation with Tribal leaders and designated representatives, to meet the intent and requirements of Executive Order 13175. 

This website will be used to provide information about NASA’s consultation efforts, including meetings and other events, and to share NASA’s progress with the development of the plan of action.  

Read the NASA 2021 Tribal Consultation Plan of Action. 

Read the NASA 2010 Procedures for Consulting with Indian Tribal Leaders under Executive Order (EO) 13175.

Status of the Plan of Action

NASA hosted a virtual forum and listening session with tribal leaders and representatives on January 11, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. Pacific/2:00 p.m. Eastern. The goal of the forum was to begin a conversation with federally recognized tribes, and to solicit feedback on how NASA can enhance its consultation process and its engagement in areas of potential shared interests. Forty-eight tribal leaders and representatives from 19 tribal nations participated in the forum, and written comments were accepted through February 10, 2023.

NASA used the feedback received during the forum and open comment period to draft a Plan of Action for the Implementation of Executive Order 13175. The creation and implementation of this plan represents an opportunity for NASA to ensure that we are consulting with you in an ongoing, robust, and meaningful way on regulatory actions that have tribal impacts.

The draft Plan of Action for the Implementation of Executive Order 13175 is available at the link below for review and comment. Please send comments to Agency-tribal@mail.nasa.gov by 12 January 2024.

Read the Forum Summary.

Read the draft 2023 Plan of Action for the Implementation of Executive Order 13175.

For more information about NASA’s tribal consultation and coordination, please contact Agency-tribal@mail.nasa.gov.

NASA Engagement with Tribal Nations

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