There’s No DEI in Government-to-Government Relations

Guest Opinion. President Trump did a favor for Indian Country his first week in office, revoking the Biden administration's misguided diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies. In doing so, he opened a door for a long overdue conversation about tribal sovereignty, federal programs and an undeniable fact: Tribal nations are governments, not minority groups.

The previous administration’s DEI push imperiled the status of tribal nations, categorizing us as another non-white subgroup. By reclassifying tribes as ethnic minorities, Biden's policies threatened both tribal self-governance and the legal frameworks that underpin critical programs and services our people rely on.

Trump’s executive actions eliminating DEI are a critical corrective. Institutions like the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Indian Health Service, tribal colleges, and departmental tribal liaisons exist not because Native people are a minority population — but because tribal nations are sovereign entities. As the Trump administration reviews all federal spending, their actions to recognize tribal sovereignty could help ensure programs like the Special Diabetes Program for Indians and the Violence Against Women Discretionary Grants for Indian Tribal Governments continue.

Trump has already extended his advocacy for tribal priorities to the Lumbee Tribe and its 55,000 members. The Lumbee people have sought full federal recognition since the early 1900s. The administration’s order initiating the restoration of a tribe’s sovereignty shows a deep respect for tribal self-governance and the unique political status of tribal nations.

DEI programs are not designed to meaningfully advance Indian Country’s access to essential programs, education, or economic opportunity. Instead, they often serve as superficial gestures, failing to address the real needs of tribal communities. In contrast, the Trump administration’s approach will empower tribes to thrive by strengthening our ability to self-govern without arbitrary federal interference.

The right to self-governance is not just a philosophical ideal—it is a practical necessity. Tribal nations flourish when we control our own hiring practices, educational systems, and economic initiatives. These powers allow us to create lasting prosperity for our citizens. The federal government should act as a partner, not an overseer, in this effort. Policies that diminish tribal sovereignty weaken the government-to-government relationship and undermine the progress that tribal nations have worked hard to achieve.

Tribal nations need federal leaders who understand and respect our unique political status. Under this new administration, we are poised to usher in a new golden age for Indian Country, one defined by opportunity, empowerment, and true sovereignty.

Jeffrey L. Grubbe is the immediate past chairman of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, an office he held for over ten years. During his tenure as chairman the tribe went through a period of unprecedented growth and prosperity, opening their third casino and fuel station. Grubbe now operates a public advisory firm providing advice and counsel to tribal governments and companies on a host of issues.