ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the Indian Social Impact Assessment (SIA) with an eye on past and future relationships between the tribes, the Federal agency, and even the SIA team. A Native Americans SIA is virtually unique because it is negotiated rather than just conducted. In SIA projects the study evaluates the potential impacts of a proposed action on human social, cultural and economic values. Indian SIAs are complex because they are protected by specific Federal laws, congressional actions and presidential orders. Formally working with Native American tribes is called consultation, and here is presented a model for that consultation. The model describes nine ideal steps for developing a consultation relationship with Native Americans who are culturally affiliated with lands being studied. Federal land managers have a stewardship responsibility to consult with Native American people regarding cultural resources found on Federal lands and on other lands affected by a Federal activity.
