Federal Liaison to Tribal Communities
Akana’s Reach as Tribal Liaison:
Across the Map, But Close to Home
Akana is a Native American-owned design and planning firm based in Portland, Oregon. We are dedicated to supporting Tribal communities, federal agencies, and municipalities.
We deliver culturally responsive solutions in architecture, infrastructure, and planning that honor community values across the Pacific Northwest and beyond. Akana is certified as an Indian Small Business Economic Enterprise (ISBEE) and a Federal Small Business Enterprise.
Akana is uniquely positioned to serve as a trusted liaison between Native communities and the federal government, delivering integrated solutions that benefit Tribes nationwide. This dedication is reflected in our extensive experience with agencies such as the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), Bureau of Indian Education (BIE), and Indian Health Service (IHS), supported by long-term contracts including:
- IHS A/E IDIQ
- USFWS A/E MATOC
- BIA Nationwide Asset Management
- BIA OJS Nationwide Site Assessments
- IHS Phoenix Facility Condition Assessments
Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission (CRITFC)
The Corps of Engineers has hired Akana to work with Tribal communities to work on critical infrastructure and cultural resource projects. Akana partnered with the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission (CRITFC), representing four sovereign tribes in the Pacific Northwest, to assess vital fishing access sites along the Columbia River.
CRITFC advocates for the interests of:
- Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation
- Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation of Oregon
- Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation
- Nez Perce Tribe
CRITFC operates and maintains 31 fishing sites along Zone 6 of the Columbia River, designated exclusively for Tribal fishers from its member tribes. These sites were set aside by Congress to ensure continued access to traditional fishing grounds.
Owned by BIA, these locations face significant challenges from overuse, including failing sewer and power systems, unsafe housing, and environmental contamination. Akana’s assessments aim to develop solutions that restore safety, sustainability, and cultural integrity at these vital sites.
Understanding IDIQ Contracts:
Flexible Partnerships for Tribal and Federal Projects
Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contracts give government agencies a fast, flexible way to access specialized architectural, engineering, and environmental services. Instead of starting from scratch for every task, these contracts allow agencies to quickly assign work as needs arise—saving time and money.
For Akana and our partners, IDIQ contracts provide consistent opportunities to support Tribal communities and federal clients on a variety of projects. This means we can stay focused on delivering quality work while helping our clients meet their goals without unnecessary delays.
The benefits of IDIQ contracts include:
- Faster task assignments without new solicitations
- Cost savings for agencies and taxpayers
- Flexible scope to cover a wide range of projects
- Reliable partnerships for engineering teams
Nationwide IDIQ Contracts Supporting Tribal and Community Infrastructure
Our commitment to quality and cultural integrity has earned us multi-year, nationwide contracts, including:
- IHS A/E IDIQ
- USFWS A/E MATOC
- BIA Nationwide Asset Management
- BIA OJS Nationwide Site Assessments
- IHS Phoenix Facility Condition Assessments
Akana provides:
- Architectural and landscape design for housing, educational, cultural, and medical facilities
- Community planning for Tribal lands
- Landscape architecture that integrates community values with natural systems
- Design-build project management
- Construction administration with quality assurance
These capabilities allow us to deliver culturally responsive, sustainable solutions that honor Tribal traditions while meeting modern infrastructure needs.
