Tribal Consultations Begin in Miami on Draft Indian Affairs Administrative Organizational Assessment Report and BIA & BIE Streamlining Plans

MIAMI, FLORIDA — The first 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 today at the Miccosukee Resort in Miami, Fla. The two-day consultation is the first of seven that will take place around the country in Arizona, Washington, South Dakota, Oklahoma, California and Alaska.

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.

For more information, please visit: http://www.bia.gov/WhoWeAre/ASIA/Consultation/index.htm.

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

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