AIA Policy

Lodges are required to conduct all American Indian related programs under the guidance and authority of a federal or state recognized tribe. Lodges who do not have a written agreement with a tribe will need to cease incorporating American Indian traditions in their program after January 1, 2026 or until such time as they have a written agreement in place. American Indian programming at the section, region, and national level will cease at this time. The policy as sent to lodges is available here.

A task force was formed in early 2022 based on recommendations from youth leaders, feedback from parents, and input from Scouting America. This task force collected an extensive review—including input from external parties—before recommending this policy to the National OA Committee. The intent of the policy is to provide a way for the Order of the Arrow to continue to offer American Indian programming in a way that appreciates and honors American Indian cultures and traditions. It was determined that federal and state recognized tribes are the only authority who can ensure this aim is met.

The National OA Committee approved its current policy on December 28, 2022. The policy is being implemented in phases through December 31, 2025 when all national-level American Indian programs will cease and lodges must have an agreement in place with a federal or state recognized tribe to continue programs locally. A detailed timeline has been provided to Lodge Key 3 members and Scout Executives.

There are no changes required to lodge or chapter names, totems. Other American Indian programs, including merit badges, camp names, and other programs are the authority of other Scouting America committees.

Induction ceremonies will be revised in early 2025 to remove American Indian terminology and references. Lodges are required to conclude the use of all ceremonies prior to this revision by June 1, 2026. This will provide time for lodge to learn the revised ceremonies.

Please contact @email with any questions related to American Indian policies. Reponses will either come directly in response to an email or be posted as part of this FAQ or future communications.

No. To conduct any American Indian-related programming on and after January 1, 2026, an Order of the Arrow lodge must have a written agreement with a state or federally recognized tribe. This agreement must state what programs the lodge may offer. Programs must be conducted under the guidance and authority of that tribe.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs maintains a list of all federally recognized tribes. Its directory contains information on all 574 recognized tribes, their geography and contact information for each. Not all states separately recognize tribes, but those who do (Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina, Vermont, and Virginia) have directories online as well. The national OA committee is working on a geo-coded database that will be available to lodges before the end of 2024.

Lodges should begin with the contact information provided by each tribe. Their websites are an ideal starting point. There will be a series of webinars offered in late 2024 and throughout 2025 to help lodges form relationships and develop agreements with tribes.

Each agreement is specific to the tribe that is entering it. Tribes may determine to what extent they want lodges to conduct American Indian programming. Agreements should be specific as to what programs and traditions may be used by the lodge and in what circumstances, have a set duration, and provide a way for the tribe to exercise oversight and guidance of the program being conducted by the lodge. A resource of best practices will be available before the end of 2024 in forming these agreements.

Many tribes have been relocated from their historical territories due to the 1810 Indian Removal Act. Lodges who do not have a state or federally recognized tribe should research the tribe with a historical presence in their area and form a relationship with them.

A lodge is only required to have one agreement to conduct American Indian programming. Lodges are free to pursue multiple agreements if they would like to offer a wider variety of programs that appreciate the different traditions in their area.

American Indian traditions are diverse and unique to each tribe. Establishing a relationship with a local tribe provides educational opportunities for the Scouts participating in American Indian programming and oversight opportunity for the tribe. The national committee believes the state and federal recognition process is the best way to determine which tribes can provide the oversight and support lodges need to conduct American Indian programs respectfully.

Lodges may only conduct American Indian programming under the authority of a state or federally recognized tribe. Agreements with other heritage groups, non recognized tribes, nonprofits, museums or other organizations are not permitted.

All agreements that permit American Indian programming must be written, formalized and signed by both the tribe and the lodge. Agreements should be specific as to what programs and traditions may be used by the lodge and in what circumstances, have a set duration, and provide a way for the tribe to exercise oversight and guidance of the program being conducted by the lodge. American Indian tribes are sovereign, and will determine who is authorized to sign on behalf of the tribe. The council Scout Executive or their designee must sign on behalf of the lodge.

Lodges will attest to having an agreement or not annually as part of the recharter process. This will begin with 2026 charters (due for renewal before December 31, 2025). While lodges will need to attest to the status of their tribal relationship annually, the duration of the agreement is to be determined by the tribe that authorizes it.

Agreements must be retained by the council. The national OA office will not maintain individual lodge agreements; lodges will attest to an agreement as part of their annual recharter process. Agreements must be maintained in writing in case of any questions related to the lodges American Indian programs conducted under the terms of the agreement. Agreements may be sent to the national OA office to be shared as examples to help other lodges seeking to establish a relationship with a tribe.

All agreements must be consistent with the Guide to Safe Scouting. Previous Order of the Arrow prohibitions on face paint remain in effect. Unequal access to program for different genders and anything contrary to the policies of Scouting American are prohibited. Agreements should not contain any kind of remuneration or quid-pro quo between the lodge or council and the tribe.

The Vigil Honor nomination form and certificate will be updated to only include a name in English. Lodges can still issue English names and they will be reflected on the Vigil Honor certificate received by the member.

Vigil Honor nomination forms received prior to December 31, 2024 may continue to use an American Indian name in addition to an English translation. Certificates will be issued consistent with the nomination form. For lodges who wish to cease issuing American Indian names immediately, the revised certificates are available.

Only if a state or federally recognized tribe endorses the issuance of American Indian names as part of its written agreement with the lodge. This program, like all other programs, would need to be conducted under the authority and guidance of the tribe.

The national OA office will issue replacement certificates in a manner consistent with the naming practices in use at the time of the requestee’s Vigil Honor date as indicated in the national Vigil database.

Language, iconography, and other references to American Indian culture will be removed from the induction and other ceremonies. Revised ceremonies will be piloted in early 2025 and approved for use by lodges by October 2025. Lodges must discontinue use of all but the current version of Order of the Arrow ceremonies before July 1, 2026.

Lodges or chapters may only formally participate in powwows or other American Indian activities in conjunction with their local tribe.

Ceremonies are being revised to remove American Indian language and iconography. Once the revised ceremonies are fully adopted and legacy versions of the ceremonies are retired in the first quarter of 2025, it will no longer be appropriate to wear American Indian costumes. Guidance for appropriate costuming will be updated and provided with the revised ceremonies.

Federally and state recognized tribes are the only authority on how to best appreciate their culture. All American Indian programming, activities or the use any American Indian traditions can only occur under the authority of a tribe. This includes all programs including those developed by the lodge.

The 574 federally recognized tribes are sovereign entities. There is no single group that speaks for American Indians nationwide. Accordingly, the National OA Committee does not believe it is appropriate to conduct American Indian Activities beyond the local level as it would be impossible to appreciate and respect the traditions of all tribes nationwide.

All American Indian programming above the lodge level will cease on December 31, 2025. Sections will no longer offer America Indian-related training, program or competitions following their 2025 Conclaves. Sections may engage state or federally recognized tribes to provide educational or expositional programs.

American Indian Activities were not offered at the 2024 NOAC. They will not be offered at future national events.