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Tribal MOU/MOA Sample Resource Library
This library is designed to provide users with the resources they need to research and successfully draft memoranda of understanding (MOU) and memoranda of agreement (MOA). MOUs and MOAs will help agencies develop and solidify partnerships to address missing or murdered Indigenous persons cases and provide a wide range of other related opportunities for collaboration. If you are a party to one of these agreements and would like to update it or if you have an agreement you would like to include, please reach out to us at tribalgrants@usdoj.gov.
Please select a topic for more information:
- MOU/MOA Templates
- MOU/MOA Training Information
- Sample MOU/MOAs in the following subject areas:
Authority (Law Enforcement, Other)
MOU/MOAs that prescribe the procedures and guidelines for designating law enforcement authority between two or more agencies/organizations within the confines of tribal, state and/or federal law
| Document Title | Agency #1 | Agency #2 | Document Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agreement for Law Enforcement and Prosecution between Clark County, Washington, and the Cowlitz Indian Tribe | Clark County | Cowlitz Indian Tribe | Agreement |
| Memorandum of Understanding between the Bureau of Reclamation and the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, Colville Tribal Police Department | Bureau of Reclamation | Colville Tribal Police Department | MOU |
| Memorandum of Understanding Concerning Investigation and Prosecution of Violations of Certain State Laws on Santa Ana Pueblo Lands | Santa Ana Pueblo | Santa Ana District Attorney | MOU |
Cross Certification/Commission/Deputization (Joint Powers)
MOU/MOAs that give joint law enforcement powers to officers across jurisdictions by means of cross certification, commission or deputization of officers meeting the minimum standards
| Document Title | Agency #1 | Agency #2 | Document Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| An Agreement between the New Mexico State Police and the Jicarilla Apache Tribe | Jicarilla Apache Tribe | New Mexico State Police | Agreement |
| Agreement between the New Mexico State Police and the Navajo Tribe | New Mexico State Police | Navajo Tribe | Agreement |
| Agreement for Cooperative Enforcement and Cross-Deputization by and between the Osage Nation, Bureau of Indian Affairs, the State of Oklahoma, Osage County, Oklahoma, and Various Oklahoma Municipal Corporations | Osage Nation | BIA; State of Oklahoma; Osage County | Agreement |
| Cooperative Agreement Providing for Cross-Deputization of Law Enforcement Officers of the Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes of the Fort Peck Reservation, the City of Wolf Point, the City of Poplar, the Montana Highway Patrol, and Roosevelt County | Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes of the Fort Peck Reservation | Cities of Wolf Point, Poplar, Roosevelt County, Montana Hwy Patrol | Agreement |
| Cooperative Law Enforcement Agreement between and among the United States Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Three Affiliated Tribes, and the County of Mountrail | BIA | Three Affiliated Tribes, County of Mountrail | Agreement |
| Cooperative Law Enforcement Agreement between the Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians and Snohomish County | Snohomish County | Stillaguamish Tribe | Agreement |
| Cooperative Law Enforcement Agreement between the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community and Skagit County, 1999 | Skagit County | Swinomish Indian Tribal Community | Agreement |
| Cooperative Law Enforcement Agreement between the Tulalip Tribes of Washington and Snohomish County | Snohomish County | Tulalip Tribes | Agreement |
| Cross Commission Law Enforcement Agreement between the Shoalwater Bay Tribal Community and Pacific County | Shoalwater Bay Tribal Community | Pacific County | Agreement |
| Cross-Deputization Agreement among Choctaw County, Oklahoma, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma | BIA | Choctaw County, Choctaw Nation | Agreement |
| Cross-Deputization Agreement among Hughes County, Oklahoma, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and the Muscogee (Creek) Nation of Oklahoma | Hughes County | BIA; The Muscogee (Creek) Nation of Oklahoma | Agreement |
| Cross-Deputization Agreement by and between the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Nebraska State Patrol, and the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska | BIA | Nebraska State Patrol, Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska | Agreement |
| Deputation Agreement between the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians and the Bureau of Indian Affairs | BIA | Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians | Agreement |
| Deputation Agreement for Law Enforcement within the Muscogee (Creek) Nation | City of Tulsa | The Muscogee (Creek) Nation of Oklahoma | Agreement |
| Deputization Agreement between the Hoopa Valley Tribe and the County of Humboldt | Hoopa Valley Tribal Police | County of Humboldt | Agreement |
| Draft Bill for an Act Relating to Law Enforcement Authorizing Tribal Law Enforcement Officers to Enforce State Traffic Laws as Specified | Wind River Reservation (Draft Bill) | Draft Bill | |
| Joint Powers Agreement between the Hoopa Valley Tribe and the County of Humboldt | Hoopa Valley Tribe | Humboldt County | Agreement |
| Law Enforcement Agreement among the Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho Tribes, Hot Springs County, and the Bureau of Indian Affairs | BIA | Eastern Shoshone & Northern Arapaho Tribes, Hot Springs County | Agreement |
| Law Enforcement Agreement between and among the Cherokee Nation, the United States of America, the State of Oklahoma and Its Political Subdivisions, the Various Boards of County Commissioners, and Various Law Enforcement Agencies | The Cherokee Nation | State of Oklahoma, various Boards of County Commissioners, various LE agencies | Agreement |
| Law Enforcement Agreement between the Hannahville Indian Community and the County of Menominee | County of Menominee | Hannahville Indian Community | Agreement |
| Law Enforcement Agreement between the Michigan Department of State Police and the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan | Michigan State Police | Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe | Agreement |
| Memorandum of Understanding between the Yurok Tribe, Del Norte County, and the Sheriff of Del Norte County | Yurok Tribe Dept of Public Safety | County of Del Norte | MOU |
Formalization of Relationship
MOU/MOAs that formalize a relationship between two or more agencies/organizations for the mutual purpose of providing better services to the communities they serve
| Document Title | Agency #1 | Agency #2 | Document Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Approval of Interlocal Cooperation Act Agreement for Confinement of Lower Elwha Tribal Youth the Term of which shall be from October 1, 2019 through September 30, 2021, with a Limited Waver of Sovereign Immunity | Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe | County of Clallam | Agreement |
| Memorandum of Agreement by and between the Tulalip Tribes of Washington and Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture | Tulalip Tribes | U.S. Forest Service | MOU |
| Memorandum of Agreement Concerning Law Enforcement Service for the Crow Indian Reservation | Crow Tribe of Montana | BIA | MOU |
| Memorandum of Understanding between the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation of Oregon and USDA Forest Service: Pacific Northwest Region, Bureau of Land Management: Oregon State Office | Lake Superior Chippewa Indians | USDA Forest Service | MOU |
| Memorandum of Understanding between the Habematolel Pomo of Upper Lake and the Lake County Sheriff | Habematolel Pomo Tribe | Lake County Sheriff's Office | MOU |
| Memorandum of Understanding between Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians and Sawyer County Board of Supervisors Concerning the Sawyer County Criminal Justice Coordination Committee | Lac Courte Oreilles Chippewa | Sawyer County | MOU |
| Memorandum of Understanding between Northwestern State University, Northwestern State University Campus Police and Avoyelles Parish Sheriff's Office, Avoyelles Parish District Attorney's Office, and Tunica-Biloxi Tribal Police Department | Northwestern State University | Avoyelles Parish Sheriff's Office & District Attorney; Tunica-Biloxi Tribal PD | MOU< |
| Memorandum of Understanding between the Spirit Lake Nation Tribal Court, North Dakota Indian Affairs Commission, North Dakota Department of Corrections, Division of Juvenile Services, and the North Dakota Court System | Spirit Lake Nation Tribal Court | North Dakota Indian Affairs, DOC, Juvenile, Court System | MOU |
| Memorandum of Understanding between Squaxin Island Tribe and Mason County Sheriff's Office | Squaxin Island Tribe | Mason County Sheriff's Office | MOU |
| Memorandum of Understanding for Use of the Strategic National Stockpile in the Event of a Mass Medical Emergency | Michigan Health Dept | Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians | MOU |
| Memorandum of Understanding Regarding Interagency Coordination and Collaboration for the Protection of Tribal Treaty Rights Related to Natural Resources | White House Council on Native American Affairs | US Departments of Interior, Agriculture, Justice, Commerce, Defense, EPA, DOT | MOU |
| Memorandum of Understanding Regarding Tribal - USDA-Forest Service Relations on National Forest Lands Within the Territories Ceded in Treaties of 1836, 1837, and 1842 | Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs | USDA Forest Service | MOU |
Formation of Specialized Group (Task Force, SWAT, etc.)
MOU/MOAs drafted for the purpose of formulating a specialized group or task force to address a specific issue, case, etc.
| Document Title | Agency #1 | Agency #2 | Document Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Memorandum of Understanding: Fort Apache Safe Trails Task Force | White Mountain Apache | Navajo County, BIA, FBI, et al | MOU |
| Memorandum of Understanding: Violence Against Women Project | Minnesota Chippewa, Women's Protective Organizations | Leech Lake Ojibwe Tribal Police, Cass Lake, Pike Bay, Cass County Sheriff | MOU |
| Mutual Law Enforcement Assistance Agreement: Regional Major Crimes Team | Joint: Battle Ground, Camas, La Center, Ridgefield, Vancouver, WSU, Washougal PDs; Clark, Skamania Sos | Agreement | |
| Mutual Law Enforcement Assistance Agreement: Southwest Washington Regional S.W.A.T./Negotiating Team / Tactical Emergency Medical Services | SW Washington Regional SWAT | Battle Ground, Camas, La Center, Ridgefield, Vancouver, Washougal PDs; Clark SO, WSU | Agreement |
Funding
MOU/MOAs to identify funding resources and/or responsibilities between two or more agencies/organizations
| Document Title | Agency #1 | Agency #2 | Document Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fire Protection Services Agreement between the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians and Village of Mackinaw City | Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians | Mackinaw City | Agreement |
| Memorandum of Understanding between Santa Fe County and the Pueblo of Pojoaque | Santa Fe County | The Pueblo of Pojoaque | MOU |
| Memorandum of Understanding between Santa Fe County and the Pueblo of Tesuque | Santa Fe County | The Pueblo of Tesuque | MOU |
| Memorandum of Understanding between the Tulalip Tribes, Quil Ceda Village, and the Snohomish County Prosecutor Regarding Prosecution of Crimes Occurring within the Boundaries of the Village and Tulalip Indian Reservation | Quil Ceda Village | Snohomish County, Tulalip Tribes | MOU |
| Memorandum of Understanding and Agreement between the Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe and the City of Sequim | Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe | City of Sequim | MOU-MOA |
Information Sharing / Communication
MOU/MOAs that outline when and how information sharing and communication will occur between two or more agencies/organizations
| Document Title | Agency #1 | Agency #2 | Document Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Montana 2020 Indian Country Law Enforcement Initiative Operational Plan | Montana Reservations - Operational Plan | Operational Plan | |
| Memorandum of Agreement between the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and the Multijurisdictional Reentry Services Team | Standing Rock Sioux Tribe | North Dakota & South Dakota DOC, Judicial Services, Probation, Indian Affairs et al | MOA |
| Memorandum of Understanding between Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians Law Enforcement Department and Charlevoix-Cheboygan-Emmet Central Dispatch Authority | Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians | CCE Central Dispatch | MOU |
| Memorandum of Understanding between the National Park Service and the Hoh Indian Tribe, Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe, Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe, Makah Indian Tribe, Quileute Indian Tribe, Quinault Indian Nation, Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe, Skokomish Indian Tribe | National Park Service | Hoh, Jamestown S'Klallam, Lower Elwha Klallam, Makah, Quileute, Quinault, Port Gamble S'Klallam, Skokomish Indian Tribes | MOU |
| Memorandum of Understanding between the Suquamish Tribe and the City of Poulsbo | The Suquamish Tribe | City of Poulsbo | MOU |
| Memorandum of Understanding Regarding the Dissemination of Criminal History Record Information between the New Mexico State Gaming Representative and the Acoma Gaming Commission | New Mexico State Gaming Representative | Acoma Gaming Commission | MOU |
Investigative Assistance/Responsibilities (Criminal & Non-Criminal)
These MOU/MOAs center on agency agreements to assist each other in criminal and non-criminal cases and to assign responsibilities
| Document Title | Agency #1 | Agency #2 | Document Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| El Dorado County Law Enforcement/Education 2021-2022 Memorandum of Understanding | El Dorado County Sheriff | Shingle Spring Tribal Police, et al | MOU |
| Enforcement Assistance Agreement between Bay Mills Indian Community and Chippewa County Sheriff | Bay Mills Indian Community | Chippewa County Sheriff | Agreement |
| Memorandum of Agreement by and between the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes, the Power County Sheriff's Office, and the Power County Prosecuting Attorney | Power County | Shoshone-Bannock Tribes | MOA |
| Memorandum of Understanding: Investigative Responsibilities for Indian Country at the Mashantucket Pequot Reservation | U.S. Attorney | FBI, BIA, Mashantucket Pequot Tribe | MOU |
| Renewal (2007) of Memorandum of Agreement between the State of Montana; Counties of Flathead, Missoula, Lake, and Sanders; Cities of Hot Springs and Ronan; Town of St. Ignatius; and the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead Nation | State of Montana | Salish & Kootenai Tribes, Counties: Flathead, Missoula, Lake, Sanders; Cities: Hot Springs, Ronan, St. Ignatius | Agreement (2007 Renewal) |
| Renewal (2015) of Memorandum of Agreement between the State of Montana, Flathead County, Missoula County, Sanders County, City of Hot Springs, City of Ronan, City of Polson, Town of St. Ignatius, and the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead Nation | State of Montana | Salish & Kootenai Tribes, Counties: Flathead, Missoula, Lake, Sanders; Cities: Hot Springs, Ronan, St. Ignatius | MOA (2015 Renewal) |
Jurisdiction
MOU/MOAs that define jurisdictional issues between two or more agencies and/or tribes, cities, counties, states or the federal government relating, but not limited to, investigations
| Document Title | Agency #1 | Agency #2 | Document Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Law Enforcement Agreement between the Navajo Nation and the Arizona Department of Public Safety | The Navajo Nation | Arizona Dept. of Public Safety | Agreement |
| Memorandum of Agreement between the United States Coast Guard and the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians | U.S. Coast Guard | Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians | MOA |
| Memorandum of Understanding between the United States Department of Interior Bureau of Indian Affairs and the United States Department of Justice Federal Bureau of Investigation | BIA | FBI | MOU |
Law Enforcement Resources / Services Sharing (Mutual Aid)
MOU/MOAs designed to establish agreements for shared resources and/or services between two or more agencies
| Document Title | Agency #1 | Agency #2 | Document Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Amended Cooperative Law Enforcement Agreement between Sawyer County, Sawyer County Sheriff's Office, and the Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians | Sawyer County Sheriff's Office | Lac Courte Oreilles Chippewa Indians | Agreement |
| Agreement Relating to the Use of Law Enforcement Facilities and Personnel in Cooperation between Mille Lacs Band Law Enforcement Agency and the County of Mille Lacs | Mille Lacs Band LE | Mille Lacs County | Agreement |
| Cooperative Law Enforcement Agreement between the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe Indians and the Counties of Beltrami, Cass, Hubbard, [and] Itasca, and the City [of] Cass Lake, Minnesota | Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe Indians | Counties: Beltrami, Cass, Hubbard, Itasca; City of Cass Lake, State of Minnesota | Agreement |
| Cooperative Law Enforcement Agreements between the White Earth Reservation of Chippewa Indians and Becker County, Clearwater County, and Mahnomen County | White Earth Reservation of Chippewa Indians | Becker County, Clearwater County, and Mahnomen County | Agreement |
| Interagency Agreement between the Quileute Tribe and Clallam County Relating to Lease of Tribe's Building for Clallam County Sheriff's Office Business | Quileute Tribe | Clallam County | Agreement |
| Intergovernmental Agreement between the Hualapai Tribe and the Arizona Department of Public Safety | Hualapai Tribe | Arizona Dept. of Public Safety | Agreement |
| Intergovernmental Cooperative Agreement by and between the Sac and Fox Nation and the City of Stroud, State of Oklahoma | Sac and Fox Nation | City of Stroud, Oklahoma | Agreement |
| Intergovernmental Cooperative Agreement by and between the Wyandotte Tribe of Oklahoma and the City of Fairland, Ottawa County, State of Oklahoma | Wyandotte Tribe of Oklahoma | City of Fairland, Oklahoma | Agreement |
| Interlocal Agreement between the Clallam County Sheriff's Office and the Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe | Clallam County Sheriff's Office | Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe | Agreement |
| Interlocal Agreement between Kittitas County and Chelan County | Kititas County | Chelan County | Agreement |
| Interlocal Agreement for Deputization and Mutual Law Enforcement Assistance between the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians and the County of Charlevoix | Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians | Charlevoix County | Agreement |
| Interlocal Agreement for Deputization and Mutual Law Enforcement Assistance between the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians and the County of Emmet | County of Emmet | Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians | Agreement |
| Interlocal Cooperation Act Agreement for Mutual Aid between Kitsap County and the Suquamish Tribe | Kitsap County | Suquamish Tribe | Agreement |
| Interlocal Governmental Contract between the Kalispel Tribe of Indians and Pend Oreille County for Dispatch Communication Services | Kalispel Tribe of Indians | Pend Oreille County | Contract |
| Law Enforcement Agreement between the City of Mt. Pleasant and the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan | City of Mt. Pleasant | Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan | Agreement |
| Memorandum of Mutual Support between the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety and the Pennington County Sheriff's Office | Oglala Sioux Tribe Dept. of Public Safety | Pennington County Sheriff's Office | Memo of Mutual Support |
| Memorandum of Understanding between the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe and City of Taunton, Massachusetts, for the Implementation of the Intergovernmental Agreement, Dated May 17, 2012 | Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe | City of Taunton, MA | MOU |
| Memorandum of Understanding between the Spirit Lake Tribe and the North Dakota Highway Patrol | Spirit Lake Tribe | North Dakota Highway Patrol | MOU |
| Resolution of the Governing Body of the Three Affiliated Tribes of the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation: Authorizing a Law Enforcement Services Memorandum of Understanding with McLean County | McLean County Sheriff | Three Affiliated Tribes | MOU |
| Memorandum of Understanding Regarding Mutual Aid between the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe and the South Dakota Highway Patrol | Crow Creek Sioux Tribe | South Dakota Highway Patrol | MOU |
Template / Reference Documents
| Document Title | Agency #1 | Agency #2 | Document Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Developing Agreements between Local Education Agencies and American Indian Nations and Tribal Communities: A Wisconsin Perspective | Developing Agreements with Tribal Communities | ||
| Fillable Template: Developing an MOU or MOA to Prevent and Respond Effectively to Missing or Murdered Indigenous Person (MMIP) Cases | Western Community Policing Institute | Fillable Template MOU MOA for MMIP Cases | |
| Fillable Template: Memorandum of Agreement | Western Community Policing Institute | Fillable Template MOA | |
| Fillable Template: Memorandum of Understanding | Western Community Policing Institute | Fillable Template MOU | |
| Model Memorandum of Understanding Concerning Full Faith and Credit of Domestic Violence or Sexual Assault Protection or Restraining Orders | Model MOU | ||
| Model Policy for Authorizing Tribal Police Officers to Act as General Authority Washington State Peace Officers, November 2010 | Washington Tribal Police Officers | State of Washington | Information |
| Sample Memorandum of Understanding: The Ho-Chunk Nation and the School District of Black River Falls | Ho-Chunk Nation | Black River Falls School District | Sample MOU |
