Monday, Dec 10 2012 3:51PM
A new online tool may help HUD and Native Americans better communicate about development projects.
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has facilitated communication with Native American tribes with a new web-based tool.
The new Tribal Directory Assessment Tool is a database designed to make Native Americans nationwide aware of federally funded development projects occurring in areas of cultural, historic and tribal significance, HUD announced. The tool, which provides key contact information of the parties involved, is expected to ensure participation of Native Americans.
"This tool is a vast improvement in how we approach federally funded development to ensure the full participation of tribal communities," said HUD's Acting Assistant Secretary for Community Planning and Development Mark Johnston. "With just a few clicks, planners will literally be building a bridge to those stakeholders with a deep, even spiritual interest in how these lands are developed."
The tool may help reduce disputes between developers and Native Americans over
economic community development being carried out on sacred lands. In Arizona, for example, Navajo tribal members are engaged in a fight with resort developers and miners who want to use the land in a way that would threaten Native Americans' access to
water system services and violate sacred areas.
For more information, check out this resource:
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development