Office of the Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs

Who We Serve

The Office of the Assistant Secretary – Indian Affairs is headed by the Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs (AS-IA). The Assistant Secretary - Indian Affairs assists the Secretary of the Interior in fulfilling the Department’s trust responsibilities to American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) tribes and individuals. The position of the Assistant Secretary- Indian Affairs is established under the authority contained in 43 U.S.C. 1453.

The Assistant Secretary discharges the duties of the Secretary with the authority and direct responsibility to:

  • Strengthen the government-to-government/nation-to-nation relationship with American Indian and Alaska Native tribes,
  • Advocate policies that support AI/AN self-determination and tribal sovereignty,
  • Protect and preserve AI/AN trust assets held by the Federal Government for their benefit, and
  • Administer a wide array of laws, regulations, and functions relating to AI/AN tribes, individual AI/AN trust beneficiaries, tribal members, and Indian Affairs bureaus, offices, and programs that are vested in the Secretary by the President and the Congress of the United States.

Services We Provide

Top

More Resources

About the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs

The Office of the Assistant Secretary – Indian Affairs (OAS-IA) includes the following:

  • Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary – Indian Affairs (PDAS)
  • Deputy Assistant Secretary - Policy and Economic Development (DAS-PED)
  • Deputy Assistant Secretary Indian Affairs (Management) (DASM)

Indian Affairs (IA) is a unique organization within the Federal Government. Four components make up the IA organization within the Interior Department:

Each component supports federally recognized AI/AN tribal governments by directly administering (direct service) or funding tribally administered IA, BIA, and BIE programs. Together, they work to support federally recognized tribal nations and AI/AN trust beneficiaries nationally, regionally, and locally.