Under the Tribal Transportation Self-Governance Program (TTSGP) of the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT), the Catawba Nation has formally signed its first compact. With the deal finalized by Chief Brian Harris, Tribal Administrator Ashley Sexton, and Executive Director of Planning & Development Denise Bryson, the Catawba Nation became just the fifth of 574 federally recognized tribes to sign a compact of this type with USDOT.
According to Chief Harris, this is a significant accomplishment for the Catawba Nation. Our tribe now has more control and flexibility over federal transportation money because to our self-governance compact, which enables us to increase community safety and connection.
The agreement comes after 17 months of talks between the Catawba Nation and important USDOT representatives, such as Senior Tribal Affairs Advisor Eldridge Onco, Director of Tribal Affairs Milo Booth, and Assistant Secretary of Tribal Affairs Arlando Teller.
The USDOT’s TTSGP was created in 2020 and is based on successful self-governance programs that have been in place for more than 20 years at the Departments of the Interior and Health and Human Services.