What is the trust responsibility?
The trust responsibility is a legal and moral obligation that the federal government has to Native American tribes. This responsibility exists because the United States entered into treaties with Native American tribes, made promises to them, and agreed to certain responsibilities that should protect Native American tribes and their land. In Oregon, the trust responsibility refers specifically to how the U.S. government collaborates with, interacts with, and conducts business with Native American tribes. The trust responsibility also requires that the U.S. government provide resources and services to tribal nations that support the health, welfare, and economic development of Native American people, and it further requires the U.S. government to protect Native American rights and resources. In Oregon, the United States has a special relationship with the nine federally recognized tribes. The trust responsibility means that the U.S. must uphold its legal obligations outlined in treaties, statutes, executive orders, and other legal documents, including the federal government’s trust duty for Indian health, which requires the provision of medical services, resources, and health care facilities such as hospitals, clinics, and medical centers to Native American tribes in Oregon. Additionally, the U.S. government has a trust obligation to protect tribal lands, resources, and cultural resources such as sacred sites in Oregon.
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