All of Us Tribal Engagement

All of Us welcomes people from all communities, especially those that have been left out of research in the past, including American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) people. When more communities take part in studies, researchers can close information gaps and find ways to improve health for all.

Recognizing that Tribes in the United States are sovereign nations, we have ongoing conversations with Tribal leaders and members across the country to better understand the views and concerns of Tribal communities and find ways to build a strong program together.

We also work with partner organizations to help further engage Tribal Nations, AI/AN populations, and Indigenous communities and to advance responsible and community-led participation in All of Us. View our funding opportunity.


On this page:

Tribal Consultations
Key Milestones
Our Partners
For More Information

Native American Indian woman in an outdoor closeup environmental portrait.

Tribal Commitments

Some Tribes have concerns about taking part in research studies. All of Us meets with Tribal leaders at formal meetings called "consultations" to learn more about their views. Following our initial consultation in 2019, we prepared a final report that summarizes the feedback we received and our plans developed in response—including efforts to collaborate with Tribal Nations, protect data, engage AI/AN researchers, and more.

This report highlights our foundational commitments to Tribal Nations, including the following:

  • We will respect Tribal sovereignty by engaging Tribal Nations to ensure that research using the program’s biospecimens and data from Tribal members is done in a way that is respectful of applicable Tribal customs, culture, and laws.
  • We will work to include as much diversity of AI/AN populations as possible in the program by partnering with Tribes and with organizations with urban Indian expertise that want to collaborate.
  • We will not recruit on Tribal lands without first obtaining approval from the Tribe.
  • We will not share information about participants’ Tribal affiliation without first getting approval from the Tribe.
  • We will support the development of educational materials for researchers and participants, work with AI/AN researchers in partnership with AI/AN communities, and promote community-based participatory research.
  • We will work to ensure representation of AI/AN populations throughout all aspects of program governance.
  • We will give all self-identified AI/AN participants a chance to learn more about our Tribal consultation and speak with their Tribal leaders so they can decide whether they want to stay involved before we share any AI/AN data or samples for research.

Tribal Consultations

1. 2019 Tribal consultation: All of Us held its first Tribal consultation to hear input from Tribal leaders about engaging with Tribal Nations and the inclusion of AI/AN individuals.

2. 2020 COVID-19 serology study consultation: All of Us consulted with Tribal leaders about whether to include existing AI/AN participant samples in the COVID-19 Serology Study.

3. 2023 Tribal consultation: All of Us held consultation on the program’s approach to Tribal engagement, the integration and management of data collected from individuals who identify as AI/AN, and program planning.

If you're a participant or considering signing up, please also visit our webpage at JoinAllofUs.org with information for American Indians and Alaska Natives.

If you're a participant or considering signing up, please also visit our webpage at JoinAllofUs.org with information for American Indians and Alaska Natives.


Key Milestones

Native American couple with their arms around each other smile at each other on a sunny day outdoors.

December 2017

The All of Us Research Program Advisory Panel established the Tribal Collaboration Working Group to provide guidance on the inclusion of American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities in the program.

Learn more about the purpose and goals of the Tribal Collaboration Working Group.

Woman sitting at a desk using a laptop.

August 2018

The Tribal Collaboration Working Group released a report on collaborating with Tribal Nations and AI/AN populations.

Read the report for principles of engagement with tribal communities.

Group of individuals standing outside.

May–November 2019

All of Us hosted a series of Tribal consultations across the country, including listening sessions and a formal request for information.

All of Us team member adds test tube to a rack with other biosamples

May 2020

All of Us held a rapid-response Tribal consultation to discuss the All of Us COVID-19 serology study.

Learn more about the study and the outcome of the consultation.

Man wearing a surgical mask standing outside with arms crossed.

August 2020

All of Us released a draft of the Tribal consultation report for input from Tribal leaders.

Read the draft report for consultation findings.

Woman sitting at a desk working on laptop.

March 2021

All of Us released its Tribal consultation final report and a report summary.

Read the final report, report summary, and news release to learn how All of Us is working with U.S. Tribes.

TBD

June 2023

All of Us held a series of virtual information sessions for Tribal communities. Session topics included an overview of the program, researcher access and use of data, AI/AN self-identification, and partnership opportunities in the program.

Watch the recordings.

TBD

September 2023

All of Us hosted a Tribal consultation to seek further input on Tribal engagement efforts and to discuss integrating information from self-identified AI/AN participants in the program’s data platform. 

Read the 2023 consultation final report.

Two women sitting on a park bench

2024

All of Us is preparing data and samples from self-identified AI/AN participants for inclusion in the All of Us Research Hub.

Learn more about the Research Hub and its health data.

For More Information

All of Us Research Program Protocol

Frequently Asked Questions About All of Us

Questions or feedback? We’re listening. Contact us anytime at AoUTribal@nih.gov.

Information Session with Tribal Communities: All of Us Research Program Overview and Tribal Engagement
Event Date: June 6, 2023
Oklahoma Listening Session
Location: Oklahoma City,
Oklahoma
Event Date: October 22, 2019
HHS Regional Consultation (Region 3)
Location: Providence Forge,
Virginia
Event Date: September 18, 2019
NIH Tribal Advisory Committee (TAC) Meeting
Location: Fairbanks,
Alaska
Event Date: August 22, 2019
HHS Regional Consultation (Regions 6, 7 and 8)
Location: Denver,
Colorado
Event Date: August 21, 2019
Alaska Native Health Board Mega Meeting Listening Session
Location: Anchorage,
Alaska
Event Date: August 7, 2019
Event Details:
HHS Regional Consultation (Region 10)
Location: Spokane,
Washington
Event Date: July 11, 2019
National Congress of American Indians Consultation
Location: Sparks,
Nevada
Event Date: June 24, 2019
HHS Regional Consultation (Region 9)
Location: Sacramento,
California
Event Date: June 20, 2019
United South & Eastern Tribes Listening Session
Location: Nashville,
Tennessee
Event Date: June 18, 2019
National Congress of American Indians All of Us Research Program Overview Webinar
Event Date: June 3, 2019
California Rural Indian Health Board Listening Session
Location: Washington, DC,
Event Date: May 2, 2019
Last Reviewed: September 9, 2024