History

• After September 11th, 2001, immediate improvements to our Nation’s borders were required. The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) implemented a Congressional requirement that all U.S. citizens and other travelers entering the US would present a passport or accepted WHTI compliant document (i.e. Enhanced Tribal Card (ETC)).The federal government recognizes Tribes as Sovereign Nations with the authority to develop their own ETC Programs.
• On May 27th, 2009, the Pascua Yaqui Tribe negotiated and entered into a Memorandum of Agreement with the Department of Homeland Security and Customs Border Protection to implement an ETC Program. After two years of planning, extensive research and development in August of 2010 the program became available to its membership. Upon the program’s evaluation performed by the Department of Homeland Security and a third-party, on June 9th 2011, the Enhanced Tribal Card was approved and published in the federal register as a WHTI compliant document for border crossing, denoting identity, U.S. citizenship, and tribal membership status.

Experience

• The Pascua Yaqui Tribe is the first in the Nation to develop an Enhanced Tribal Card Program. The program has been successful and our membership continues to take full advantage of the program.
• In the last several years Sacred Path has established the necessary government relations with the Department of Homeland Security and Customs Border Protection, with years of experience that has included Cultural Awareness Sensitivity and Crossing of Cultural Regalia training being provided to the Department of Homeland Security and Customs and Border Protection in order to cultivate better understanding and respect for the cultural and sacred items.

How Did Sacred Path Form?

• Sacred Path was established in 2017? As an Enterprise of the Pascua Yaqui Tribe.
• Hydaburg of Alaska was the first Client Tribe.
• ****Photos to show our experience/History???****