Our Practices and Prinicples for Partnering with Montana Tribes

Overview

The Montana Office of Rural Health | Area Health Education Center (MORH/AHEC) holds all our staff to high standards when working with Tribes in Montana. Tribal Nations are sovereign governments with an inherent right to self-determination. Working in partnership with Tribes requires understanding the history of the government-to-government relationship Tribal Nations hold with the US goverment and approaching partnerships with respect and appreciation for the diversity across Tribes.

Tribal Resolutions

In accordance with Montana law (§ 2-15-143, MCA), MORH/AHEC is committed to working with Tribal governments based on the following principles:

  • Cooperation and collaboration
  • Mutual understanding and respect
  • Regular and early communication
  • Accountability in addressing issues
  • Preservation of the state-Tribal relationship

MORH/AHEC consults with Tribal governments on relevant programs, grants, and partnerships, ensuring early and consistent communication when initiatives have direct Tribal implications. We commit to respectful, government-to-government relationships that uphold Tribal sovereignty and seek the proper permissions to complete desired work.

Contracts with Tribal Nations

At MORH/AHEC, we work collaboratively with Tribal governments to execute contracts and agreements that honor and comply with both state and Tribal laws. All contracts are developed in consultation with the Tribe’s representatives and Montana State University’s Procurement Office, incorporating input to address legal, cultural, and operational considerations. Our goal is to foster equitable partnerships that reflect a shared commitment to legal compliance, community well-being, and the preservation of strong state-Tribal relationships.

Indigenous Research Standards & Policies at MSU

Montana State University published a guide to support MSU employees working with Tribes in Montana to engage in respectful, collaborative partnerships and uphold high standards of Indigenous research ethics. Click here to learn more about our Indigenous Research Standards.

The Montana State University Institutional Review Board (IRB) also has policies for engaging with Tribal College IRBs and research with Indigenous communitites. Learn more about the MSU IRB's policy for research collaborations with Indigenous communities, including processes for ceding review to Tribal College IRBs and research assurances.