Читать книгу Disaster Response and Recovery - David A. McEntire - Страница 89

In addition to local, state and federal government entities, there are also tribal governments that are involved in emergency management. A tribal government is “an Indian or Alaska Native tribe that the Secretary of the Interior acknowledges to exist as an Indian tribe pursuant to the Federally Recognized Indian Tribe List Act of 1994” (FEMA 2012). In the United States, there are 564 federally recognized tribes, and they have their own unique history, customs, language and laws. Furthermore, each tribe has a unique relationship to the federal government. On the one hand, each Indian Tribe is considered an independent nation. Indian tribes are, in essence, a separate country within the boundaries of U.S. territory. On the other hand, the Indian tribe is somewhat like a state in that it may now receive funding directly from the federal government. In other words, federal emergency management assistance can now bypass the state in which the tribe resides and go directly to those affected by a disaster. Some tribal governments therefore have more developed emergency management programs than others. Those working in emergency management should make extra efforts to work with Indian tribes, based on the tribe’s level of interest and needs. Julie Maldonado of the Livelihoods Knowledge Exchange Network reminds us of an important point and principle: Indian Tribes are not necessarily “stakeholders;” they are more appropriately recognized as “rights holders.” This suggests that Indian Tribes have autonomy and sovereignty in controlling their land and self‐determination. Those working in emergency management should remember this essential admonition.