EXECUTIVE ORDER EO 83-16
GOVERNOR'S OFFICE OF INDIAN
AFFAIRS
The
state of Washington desires to reaffirm its commitment and responsibility to
our state's first citizens, the American Indians. The state of Washington
understands that there are 26 federally recognized Indian tribal governments
located within the boundaries of the state.
These tribal governments have certain rights and governmental authority
guaranteed by treaty with the United States or executive order of the
President. There is a continuing need to develop and formalize a state-tribal
relationship that is based on a government to government interaction. The
President of the United States has recently issued an Indian policy statement
that emphasizes a commitment to encourage and strengthen tribal governments, to
which the state of Washington is likewise committed. The Governor's Office of
Indian Affairs has by previous Executive Order (EO 80-02) been established to
administer the state's relationship to Indian country.
NOW,
THEREFORE,
I, John Spellman, Governor of the state of Washington, by virtue of the power
vested in me, hereby direct as follows:
A. There shall continue to be in the
Governor's Office an office of Indian Affairs, staffed and directed by a person
on my staff: Assistant for Indian Affairs.
B. The Assistant for Indian Affairs shall
be a member of the Governor's policy staff and will advise on Indian related
matters.
C. The Office of Indian Affairs shall have
the following responsibilities:
1. Assist
the Governor in the development of effective policies and recommend legislation
which will guide the state of Washington in its relationships with Indian
tribal governments and Indian organizations.
2. Provide
assistance to Indian citizens in their efforts to work with state government to
resolve mutual problems and concerns.
3. Advise
state agencies and departments concerning issues relative to the Indian tribes
and organizations of Washington state.
4. Be
the Governor's liaison between the state of Washington, Indian tribal
governments, and Indian organizations.
5. Be
liaison and advisor to the Governor and state agencies on Federal legislation
and policies in Indian affairs.
6. Develop
for the Governor a program on the appropriate and effective role of state
government in intergovernmental a mechanism that involves the participation of
governments to better Federal, local, and state and tribal relations.
7. Provide
assistance and advice to state agencies and departments which have frequent
dealings with Indian country concerning tribal relationships and problems of
Indian citizens.
8. That
the office begin a program of interaction with the federal government in this
region by attending Region X's Indian Service Resource Panel meetings.
9. That
a seat on the Washington State Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental
Relations (est. by EO 82-12) be created for Indian input and occupied by the
Assistant for Indian Affairs.
All
of the provisions of Executive Order 80-02 (signed January 9, 1980) are hereby
rescinded and revoked and be it further directed that EO 82-12 be amended to
include item number C 8 of this Executive Order.
IN WITNESS
WHEREOF, I
have hereunto
set my hand and caused the seal of the State
of Washington to be affixed at Olympia
this 11th day of October A.D., Nineteen hundred and
eighty-three.
JOHN SPELLMAN
Governor of Washington
BY THE
GOVERNOR:
_________________________________
Secretary of State
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