Tribal Affairs

Welcome to the Tribal Affairs and Cultural Resources Program home page.  DOE-RL's involvement with Native American Tribes at Hanford is guided by DOE's American Indian Policy.  American Indian Tribal Governments have a government-to-government relationship with the Department of Energy, as an agency of the Federal Government, defined by history, treaties, statutes, court decisions, and the U.S. Constitution. In recognition of this government-to-government relationship, DOE-RL interacts and consults with three federally recognized tribes affected by Hanford operations. The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation, and the Nez Perce Tribe, all have important rights recognized and guaranteed in the Treaties of 1855. In addition, the Wanapum who still live adjacent to the Site, are a non-federally recognized tribe who have strong cultural ties to the site and are consulted on cultural resource issues in accordance with DOE-RL policy and relevant legislation.

In 2010, the two Department of Energy, Richland Operations Offices – the Tribal Affairs Program and the Cultural and Historical Resources Program, merged into one program, entitled the Tribal Affairs and Cultural Resources Program.  The program is part of the Richland Operations Office, Office of Communications and External Affairs, and is made up of a team of federal employees who are responsible for related programs at the entire Hanford Site, including the Office of River Protection and the Pacific Northwest Site Office. 

If you have any questions or would like more information about Tribal involvement at Hanford please contact:

Jill Conrad, DOE-RL Program Manager
E-mail: jill.conrad@rl.doe.gov

Kim Ballinger, DOE-RL Program Specialist
E-mail: Kimberly.ballinger@rl.doe.gov

Mona Wright, DOE-RL Archaeologist,
E-mail: Mona.wright@rl.doe.gov

Annabelle Rodriguez, DOE-RL Cultural Resources Specialist
E-mail: Annabelle.rodriguez@rl.doe.gov