[24 Test Answers] FEMA IS-650B: Building Partnerships with Tribal Governments

Here are the FEMA test answers to IS-650.B: Building Partnerships with Tribal Governments.

Overview: The FEMA IS-650.B course was published on 11/2/2018 to provide a basic understanding of tribal governments in the United States, the history of the relationship between the Federal Government and tribes, and general information about tribal governance and cultures that will influence emergency management practices so that effective working relationships can be formed and evolve.

Throughout the IS-650.B course, tribal representatives speak about their history, their culture, their way of life, and how to develop good relationships with tribal communities.

FEMA IS-650.B test answers

Each time this test is loaded, you will receive a unique set of questions and answers. The test questions are scrambled to protect the integrity of the exam.

Question 1. The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) can support tribal participation in the Public Assistance program by: 
A. Providing information about tribal culture that will exempt tribes from PDA inspections.
B. Providing BIA Superintendents to serve on Preliminary Damage Assessment teams.✅
C. Identifying BIA roads, facilities, and possible sacred and cultural sites.
D. Identifying tribes that are not interested in participating in any Federal programs.

Question 2. When preparing to explain Individual Assistance to tribal members, it’s important to remember: 
A. some homes may be owned by an individual and some may be owned by the tribe.✅
B. they will want to apply online or over the phone so as to avoid interacting in person.
C. all tribal housing is the responsibility of the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA).
D. all tribal housing is owned by Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Question 3. Federal trust responsibility means: 
A. Tribes have no interest in Federal resources.
B. FEMA will have to go to the State before contacting tribal governments.
C. A legally enforceable fiduciary obligation on the part of the United States to protect tribal treaty rights, lands, assets, and resources.✅
D. FEMA staff can assume that the tribe will welcome early and fast-paced interaction because they trust the Agency.

Question 4. Most tribal people prefer to be referred to by: 
A. the term Native American.
B. their specific tribal name (e.g. Shoshone).✅
C. the term Indian.
D. the term Indigenous Person.

Question 5. During this period, Indigenous Americans were granted U.S. citizenship by Congress for the first time. 
A. Allotment & Attempted Assimilation Period.✅
B. Reorganization Period.
C. Colonial Period.
D. Self-Determination Period.

Question 6. The Termination and Relocation Period (1945-1965) was best known for: 
A. The forced removal of tribal people from the eastern U.S. to western lands.
B. Ending trust relationships between Federal and tribal governments and self-government of the tribes to seize land and resources for the country.✅
C. Providing more land to tribes through treaties with the federal government.
D. Building stronger relationships between the Federal Government and tribes through treaties.

Question 7. Even after the information about Individual Assistance programs has been distributed, the following factors could hinder registration EXCEPT for: 
A. the state will have already gone door-to-door registering applicants.✅
B. language barriers may prevent some from applying.
C. multiple families may reside in the same dwelling and not realize each family needs to file an application.
D. some people may not trust the Federal Government and will not apply for assistance.

Question 8. When explaining disaster assistance to a tribal government, it’s important to: 
A. Commit to making the impacted community better than before the disaster so they will be grateful for any assistance that can be given.
B. Insist on meeting with the Chief Elected Official first.
C. Explain that as a Federal employee, you cannot go beyond the authority granted by the Agency and the law.✅
D. Promise the full amount of Individual Assistance eligible to every tribal member.

Question 9. A Tribal Chief Elected Official: 
A. Will be the first point of contact when trying to build a relationship with a tribal government.
B. Is equal in status to a municipal emergency manager.
C. Should be treated with similar protocol as a foreign head of state, the US President, or a State Governor.✅
D. Will be familiar with all of the federal disaster laws because of his responsibility within the tribe.

Question 10. During the HMGP Applicant’s Briefing, FEMA staff should ensure the briefing: 
A. convinces the tribe to be as progressive as possible and welcomes innovative solutions.
B. includes HMGP steps, timelines, and aids such as a sample mitigation plan and project applications.✅
C. is conducted by the Bureau of Indian Affairs which will have the best solutions to offer.
D. explains the tribe is exempt from all cost-share requirements of mitigation grants.

Question 11. One effective way to get the message about Individual Assistance to eligible tribal members is to: 
A. Call every home in a particular region.
B. Use conventional media outlets: regional newspapers, radio, and television.
C. Rely on informal networks in Indian communities.✅
D. Set up a registration booth at a tribal social event (such as a powwow).

Question 12. One policy originating in this period sought to break up tribes by removing children from their families and enrolling them in Government-run boarding schools far from home. 
A. Termination & Relocation Period.
B. Removal & Relocation Period.
C. Allotment & Attempted Assimilation Period.✅
D. Self-Determination Period.

Question 13. Select the item which is a commonly held core value among tribal people. 
A. Family plays a central role in tribal culture and elders are treated with respect.✅
B. Assimilating into modern U.S. culture is an important objective in raising children.
C. Practicing native religion and preserving native languages are assigned a low priority.
D. Information is best presented in a clear, concise, factual, and objective manner.

Question 14. For greater success, housing inspectors should: 
A. be sure a representative from the state is with them at all times.
B. limit their interactions with homeowners so as to not disrupt the process.
C. not wear any identifying FEMA clothing so as to reduce mistrust.
D. follow the protocol established with the tribe for permission to enter tribal lands.✅

Question 15. Tribes that receive sovereign government status, are listed with other similar tribes, and have a Federal trust relationship with the Federal Government are referred to as: 
A. Original landowners of former Indian territories.
B. Federally recognized by the Federal Government.✅
C. In conformance with the provisions of the Dawes Act.
D. Self-governing in compliance with U.S. Indian law.

Question 16. When preparing for the Public Assistance Applicant’s briefing for a tribe, 
A. expect the tribal public works department to already have all the necessary data.
B. expect that the state will pick up the cost share for the tribes.
C. be prepared to present more detailed information than a standard presentation for a state.✅
D. expect the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) to conduct the briefing.

Question 17. When preparing to distribute information to tribal members about Individual Assistance, it will be important to: 
A. work with the tribal government to identify the best outreach, even if it’s door-to-door with an accompanying tribal member.✅
B. mail out applications and flyers to members in order to limit disruption.
C. post all necessary information on the internet.
D. let the tribal leadership explain all IA benefits and how to register.

Question 18. To aid in Individual Assistance registration, a good practice that the tribe can assist with would be to: 
A. provide e-mail addresses for all tribal citizens so IA information can be widely distributed.
B. work with the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) to identify all homes owned by tribal members.
C. finding language interpreters to assist with registration for the elderly who don’t speak English.✅
D. work with HUD to identify housing owned by HUD as opposed to the BIA.

Question 19. When you want to initiate contact with a Tribal Government, you should first contact: 
A. The FEMA Regional Tribal Liaison.✅
B. The Chief Executive Official (CEO).
C. The Tribal Council.
D. The State Governor’s office.

Question 20. Determination about whether an individual is an “Indian” is made by: 
A. Individual tribes who set the requirements as to who qualifies to be a member of that tribe.
B. The Federal Government’s Bureau of Indian Affairs, according to criteria set in the Indian Reorganization Act (IRA).✅
C. Ascertaining whether an individual has any Indian ancestry.
D. The individual’s declaration that he or she is Indian.

Question 21. The intent of Executive Order 13175 is to: 
A. give all authority of rule-making that impacts tribal governments to the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA).
B. provide tribal governments with a smaller cost-share for disaster funding.
C. establish regular and meaningful consultation and collaboration with tribal governments in the development of Federal policies that have tribal impacts.✅
D. establish yearly meetings between the White House and tribal governments.

Question 22. When working with tribal people, keep in mind that: 
A. providing the information you may already know and in great detail is considered courteous.
B. information is often shared in a rapid-fire manner, so listen carefully.✅
C. telling another person what to do is considered to be proper and desirable.
D. Elders are often uncomfortable speaking to non-natives and sometimes won’t.

Question 23. To ensure that eligible tribal applicants have the opportunity to participate in the Public Assistance (PA) process, PA staff members should: 
A. Expect tribes to know whether they will be recipients or sub-recipients in applying for disaster assistance.
B. Apologize on behalf of other agencies that have overlooked the tribes to date.
C. Clarify the State, Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), and other Federal agency roles in addressing tribal damage to ensure that tribes are included in the process.✅
D. Avoid dealing with State emergency officials regarding tribal participation and go directly to the tribes.

Question 24. For a tribal disaster declaration, it’s likely that: 
A. Tribal members will read regular newspapers, the internet, and other media outlets to find out how to apply for disaster assistance.
B. Tribal members will likely turn to family for temporary housing and other basic needs.✅
C. Tribal members will be eager for Disaster Assistance Survivor Teams to immediately begin visiting homes to provide information.
D. The tribe will only be interested in Public Assistance because housing is owned by the tribe.