25 CFR § 1000.830 - What does “special geographic, historical or cultural” mean?

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t25/s1000.830"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "25 CFR § 1000.830 - What does “special geographic, historical or cultural” mean?"
title_number: 25
title_name: "Indians"
section_number: "1000.830"
section_name: "What does “special geographic, historical or cultural” mean?"
chapter_name: "OFFICE OF THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY, INDIAN AFFAIRS, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR"
part_number: "1000"
part_name: "ANNUAL FUNDING AGREEMENTS UNDER THE TRIBAL SELF-GOVERNMENT ACT AMENDMENTS TO THE INDIAN SELF-DETERMINATION AND EDUCATION ACT"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-03-24"
last_updated: "2026-03-24"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "25 U.S.C. 5373"
regulatory_source: "89 FR 100245, Dec. 11, 2024, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "1000"
---


# 1000.830 What does “special geographic, historical or cultural” mean?

(a) *Geographic* generally refers to all lands presently “on or near” an Indian reservation, and all other lands within “Indian country,” as defined by 18 U.S.C. 1151. In addition, “geographic” includes:

(1) Lands of former reservations;

(2) Lands on or near those conveyed or to be conveyed under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA);

(3) Judicially established aboriginal lands of a Tribe or a Consortium member or as verified by the Secretary; and

(4) Lands and waters pertaining to Indian rights in natural resources, hunting, fishing, gathering, and subsistence activities, provided or protected by treaty or other applicable law.

(b) *Historical* generally refers to programs or lands having a particular history that is relevant to the Tribe. For example, particular trails, forts, significant sites, or educational activities that relate to the history of a particular Tribe.

(c) *Cultural* refers to programs, sites, or activities as defined by individual Tribal traditions and may include, for example:

(1) Sacred and medicinal sites;

(2) Gathering of medicines or materials such as grasses for basket weaving; or

(3) Other traditional activities, including, but not limited to, subsistence hunting, fishing, and gathering.

(d) In determining whether a Tribe/Consortium has demonstrated a non-BIA program's special geographic, historical or cultural significance to such Tribe/Consortium, the Secretary shall interpret each Federal law and regulation in a manner that will facilitate the inclusion of a program in, and the implementation of, a funding agreement.