Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the Tribal Land Office Database?
- How is information for the database gathered?
- What is the purpose of the database?
- What is the goal of the database?
- How do participating tribes benefit?
- Will the database ensure privacy of information?
- How can I become a registered user?
What is the Tribal Land Office Database? [ back to top ]
The tribal land office database includes federally recognized tribes who have a land management office. Each participating member provides basic contact information such as address, telephone, web site and email. They can also provide more detailed information about their particular land office, tribal government and land base. Access to the database is restricted to registered users who are directly affiliated with a tribal land office.
How is information for the database gathered? [ back to top ]
Initially, ILTF staff contacted each federally recognized tribe and asked if they had a land office or an individual who manages their land. The current list represents tribes that responded “yes” to this question and then provided necessary information. (Tribes not appearing on the list either do not have land offices or ILTF was not able to contact them.) Participating tribal land offices create a user account on the database and then designate a “registered user” who can submit and/or edit tribal information as needed.
What is the purpose of the database? [ back to top ]
The primary purpose of the database is to create an easy way for tribal land offices throughout Indian Country to contact one another and learn about each other’s work. This way, tribes can communicate directly about important tribal land-management issues and share working models and best practices. For example, if a tribe in Oregon lists on the database they have a GIS mapping program in place, a tribe in North Dakota who is interested in developing such a program could contact them about it. The more information tribal land offices provide, the more useful a tool the database will become. Of course, having up-to-date, accurate information on tribal land offices and their tribes’ land base will also help ILTF to fulfill its mission of ensuring that all Indian lands are in Indian ownership and management.
What is the goal of the database? [ back to top ]
Ultimately, the Foundation would like to have a listing of every federally recognized tribe with a land management department on the database. (At this point, we estimate that about 90% of tribes with such offices are listed.) Ideally, each tribe would provide a complete profile including specific information about how their office is structured, their land management methods, and the ownership status of their land base. The Foundation’s goal with the database is that registered personnel utilize the database regularly and become active participants.
How do participating tribes benefit? [ back to top ]
In addition to being instantly connected to tribal land offices throughout Indian Country, participating tribes will gain access to other valuable land-management resources. Tribes who provide the requested information will be put on a mailing list to receive updates about important issues such as recent court decisions and legislation that impact tribal land management decisions.
Will the database ensure privacy of information? [ back to top ]
All information gathered is placed directly into the database, which is restricted through user name and password. Only land office personnel of a federally recognized tribe who have already submitted information can receive a user name and password, and only participating tribes and ILTF staff can access the database. At no time will ILTF share tribal information with outside parties. Furthermore, any financial data inputted can only be accessed and viewed by registered members of that tribe. Tribes have the option of only submitting the data they see fit.
How can I become a registered user? [ back to top ]
The database is only available to land office personnel of federally recognized tribes. If you are a land office employee of a federally recognized tribe, we encourage you to contact us with your information. After transferring your information into the database full access will be granted.