A reference tie to be secured around a portion of a spine during a surgical procedure and to be tracked by a surgical navigation system is described. The reference tie includes an elongate strap having a first strap end and a second strap end. The reference tie also includes a fastener joined to the elongate strap at the first strap end, the fastener for securing the first strap end to a portion of the second strap end. The elongate strap is configured to form a secured loop around the portion of the spine. The reference tie also includes a fiducial marker joined to at least one of the elongate strap or the fastener. The fiducial marker is trackable by the surgical navigation system.