This project will promote information exchange between tribes, agencies, research organizations, and institutions of higher learning to explore the feasibility, interest, and utility of developing a nation-wide program to improve information and technology transfer between Indian Tribes and the fire science community. Phone/email contacts and visits to regions (canvassing and meeting with candidates among tribes, agencies, academic institutions and researchers) would identify the level of interest in attending and becoming partners for convening regional workshops. Regional workshops would be designed to exchange information with opportunities for field application of modern fire science and traditional ecological knowledge. Tribal elders, councils, and resource managers will be consulted to develop workshop agendas and focus on topics of local importance. Regional cooperators from the educational community will be sought to provide situational expertise, with special preference given to Indian Colleges. By establishing formal ties between larger universities and tribal colleges, Native American students would have increased exposure to the broader fire science community and could benefit from mentoring programs. Workshops tailored for regional circumstances would provide forums for knowledge transfer and development of interpersonal relationships among tribes, agencies, and academia. Methods to disseminate information would involve contemporary web media, newsletters, alerts, and networks for interpersonal communication. The commitment and expertise of Tribes to national and regional forest health should be recognized as a unique forest stewardship human resource worthy of investment.