Media Contact: Nedra Darling, OPA-IA Phone: 202-219-4152
For Immediate Release: April 25, 2012

SPOKANE, WASH. — The third government-to-government tribal consultation regarding the Indian Affairs Administrative Organizational Assessment Draft Report and Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education streamlining plans starts Thursday, April 26, 2012 at the Northern Quest Resort and Casino, Wash. The two-day consultation is the third of seven that will take place around the country in Arizona, Florida, South Dakota, Oklahoma, California and Alaska. The first was held in Miami on April 12 and 13, 2012.

Tribal leaders have said that organizational changes are needed in the administration of Indian Affairs programs and services to better meet the needs of the federally recognized tribes throughout Indian Country. The Department of the Interior’s Indian Affairs officials have heeded these concerns and undertaken an extensive review of the organization of the Office of the Assistant Secretary-Indian Affairs, the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE).

The culmination of this review is a draft Administrative Organizational Assessment Report compiled by an independent, third-party contractor. The draft report identifies several ways to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the delivery of services to Indian Country. The goal is to support a consolidated organization while improving Interior responsiveness to all Tribal needs. The BIA and BIE are seeking tribal input on ways to streamline their respective organizations to meet budgetary constraints and to increase efficiency.

More information and materials can be found at: http://www.bia.gov/WhoWeAre/ASIA/Consultation/index.htm

WHO:

Bryan Newland, Senior Policy Advisor, Office of the Assistant Secretary-Indian Affairs, DOI Mike Black, Director, BIA, DOI Keith Moore, Director, BIE, DOI Tribal Leaders from the Alaska and Northwest Regions and other regions

WHAT:

Third Regional Tribal Consultation on the Indian Affairs Administrative Organizational Assessment Draft Report and BIA & BIE Streamlining Plan.

WHEN:

Thursday, April 26, and Friday, April 27, 2012 Registration will begin at 7:00AM (PST) Consultation will begin at 8:00AM (PST)

WHERE:

Northern Quest Resort and Casino 100 North Hayford Road Airway Heights, WA 99001

CREDENTIALS: All media must present government-issued photo I.D. (such as a driver’s license) and valid media credentials.

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