Past News Items

Award of a $139,235 contract for the improvement of utility systems at Haskell Indian Institute, Lawrence, Kansas, was announced today by the Department of the Interior.

The contract provides for the replacement, enlargement and extension of the water, sewer and steam distribution systems. These improvements are necessary not only for adequate service to existing buildings but to provide service to the new school building and two new dormitories being constructed under another contract.

WASHINGTON -- To address concerns regarding mineral leasing and development activity adjacent to Chaco Culture National Historical Park, Deputy Secretary of the Interior Michael L. Connor today announced the U.S. Department of the Interior will expand the resource management planning effort underway in the Farmington, New Mexico area.

A field study program in American Indian culture, language, art, history and contemporary life will be offered this summer in the heart of the Southwest's "Indian country" by the non-profit American Forum for International Study in cooperation with the Interior Department's Bureau of Indian Affairs.

The four-week program, July 5 through August 1, 1970, is designed for teachers, advanced college students and those whose professions require an understanding of American Indian groups.

The Justice Department has concluded after an F.B.I. investigation that allegations of brutality against students at the Chilocco, Okla., Indian School by some staff members were without foundation, Assistant Secretary of the Interior Harrison Loesch said today.

WASHINGTON – Lawrence S. Roberts, who is leading the Office of the Assistant Secretary - Indian Affairs, announced today awards of $8.7 million to 63 federally recognized tribes and tribally chartered organizations under the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Tribal Climate Resilience Program. The awards will support tribally based efforts to address climate change and its effects on tribal lands and resources.

The Salt River Indian Community, near Phoenix, Ariz., was awarded the Meritorious Program Award of the American Institute of Planners Sunday, October 8 during the annual conference of the Institute at the Sheraton-Boston Hotel in Boston, Mass. The award is for the social planning the Indian community has developed over a five year period. This will be the first time in the history of the Institute's award program that the award has gone to an Indian community.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs has terminated supervision of the Big Valley Rancheria, in Lake County, California, the Department of the Interior announced today. The action was taken with the consent of the Indian group, and in conformance with provisions of the California Rancheria Act of August 18, 1958 (P.L. 85-671) as amended in 1964.

WASHINGTON – In partnership with the Pascua Yaqui Tribe, the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) will hold its first tribal court training of 2016 on March 8-10. The training is designed specifically for social workers and tribal court presenters in the preparation, preservation and presentation of evidence in child welfare cases. The first session will be held at the Tribe’s Casino Del Sol Conference Center and Resort in Tucson, Ariz. Additional training dates and locations will be announced at a later date.

Commissioner of Indian Affairs Louis R. Bruce today announced that 11 American Indian and Alaska Native high school and college students who represent nearly as many tribes have been selected for scholarships enabling them to accompany some of the Nation's leading scientists this summer on worldwide expeditions.

The scholarships for the American Indians are funded by the Bureau of Indian Affairs. They were arranged through two organizations -- the Explorers Club and Educational Expeditions International (in cooperation with the Smithsonian Institution).

A special collection of Navajo Indian rugs and blankets will be shown publicly for the first time in the Eastern United States at the Department of Interior Art Gallery, beginning September 22.

Navajo rugs and blankets have been prime collectors' items for more than a century, being first praised for fine quality by the Spanish Conquistadores who ruled the New Mexico and Arizona region in 1706. American interest in Navajo textiles increased sharply in the 1860's as a result of greater contact with the Navajos.