Office of Tribal Relations

Indigenous knowledge, supporting students and building nations.

University of Idaho is honored to partner with Tribal Nations. The Office of Tribal Relations (OTR) helps to strengthen the government-to-institution relationship between Tribal Nations and U of I. We are dedicated to fostering respect, collaboration, and the sharing of knowledge, research, and education that support Tribal self-determination.

As Idaho’s land-grant university, U of I is committed to increasing access to higher education for Tribal citizens, supporting Native student success, and contributing to community and economic development that fosters Nation building.

OTR serves as a central connection point for:

• Government-to-institution relationships with Tribal Nations.
• Coordination of Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Tribes and Indigenous research.
• Advocacy and support for Native students.
• Access to resources for research, outreach, and scholarly collaboration.
• Support for cultural events and Indigenous-led programming.

Memorandum of Understanding

University of Idaho and 11 signatory tribes signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen their partnership and work together to support Native students, communities and cultures.

U of I is committed to providing access to high-quality education for all Idaho residents. In this spirit, the university honors the sovereign status of tribal nations and their rights to self-governance and self-determination.

Because U of I is located on the homelands of many Native peoples, this agreement reflects a shared responsibility to:

• Build strong, respectful relationships between the university and tribal nations
• Expand educational access and opportunities for Native students
• Enrich campus life for all through Indigenous knowledge, voices and perspectives

While the MOU is not a legal contract, it is a meaningful statement of collaboration and shared purpose. It serves as a foundation for ongoing dialogue, mutual respect and continuous improvement in how the university supports Native students and engages with tribal communities.

Read the full Memorandum of Understanding (PDF)

Download the Inter-institutional MOU (PDF)

Our history

The Office of Tribal Relations (OTR) was established in 2007 to provide leadership, guidance, and support for Native American initiatives, organizations, and programming that align with the University of Idaho’s strategic plan and the needs of Native students, communities, and governments.

From the beginning, OTR has carried the responsibility of fostering open dialogue between Tribal Nations and the university to best serve the Tribes, the university, the state, and the region. This work is grounded in the recognition of tribal nations as sovereign entities. To uphold this principle, the University of Idaho signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with 11 signatory tribes. Through this partnership, the Native American Advisory Council was created, meeting twice a year—once on campus and once at a tribal location—to strengthen communication and collaboration.

Led by the Executive Director, OTR works closely with university leaders, faculty, and tribal partners to:

• Facilitate respectful research and dialogue with tribal communities
• Support Native student recruitment and retention
• Build alliances in research, scholarship, and community engagement

OTR reflects the University of Idaho’s deep commitment to reciprocal, long-term partnerships with tribal nations.