CHIPS, as a non-profit community-based organization and has a long history of collaborating with local Native American communities.  Over 90 percent of the staff are Native American representing Miwok, Paiute, Washoe, Mechoopda, and Maidu tribes.  Through the High Roads Training Project, in cooperation with the Sierra Institute, CHIPS has trained and equipped a number of new Native American crews, located throughout the Sierras.