Past News Items

WASHINGTON – Assistant Secretary – Indian Affairs Carl J. Artman joined Secretary Dirk Kempthorne, Bureau of Indian Education Acting Director Kevin Skenandore and students and faculty from 20 BIE-funded schools for the launching of “BIE READS” at the Department’s kick-off event for National American Indian Heritage Month. BIE READS is the Bureau’s plan to help BIE school students improve their proficiency in reading and math.

Regulations for the preparation of plans for the use of distribution of judgments made to American Indian tribes or groups by the Indian Claims Commission or the United States Court of Claims have been published in the Federal Register of January 15, 1974, Commissioner of Indian Affairs Morris Thompson announced today.

WASHINGTON - After more than a decade, economic policies which impact tribal communities will be systematically evaluated by interested stakeholders at a ground-breaking economic policy summit to be held in Phoenix, Arizona. The purpose of the Summit is to identify federal policies that have successfully stimulated tribal economies. Most importantly, the Summit will address persistent barriers through proactive policy enhancements.

The Native Village of Tetlin, Alaska, has qualified to contract under the Tribal Government Development Program of the Bureau of Indian Affairs in order to strengthen its tribal government, Commissioner of Indian Affairs Morris Thompson announced today. The village may contract for up to $15,500.

Tetlin is the fourth Alaskan Native Village to qualify for Tribal Government Development Program money. The others are: Arctic Village-Venetie, Gambell and Savoonga.

PHOENIX - Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne will meet with tribal leaders and law enforcement officials from tribes in Arizona at the Heard Museum on Thursday, Feb. 22 and hold a press conference on the President's budget proposals for Indian country.

Secretary of the Interior Rogers C. B. Morton said today that the Administration will seek full funding of $80,000,000 for the Indian Financing Act approved by President Nixon April 12, 1974.

Secretary Morton said that although the Act was originally slated for only partial funding during this fiscal year, the President has determined that the Act's programs should be accorded a higher priority and be fully funded in Fiscal Year 1975.

WASHINGTON – Interior Associate Deputy Secretary James E. Cason announced today that the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) has undertaken its initial response to assisting tribes in the Gulf Coast states who are victims of Hurricane Katrina. There are six federally recognized tribes located in Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi who were impacted by the powerful storm. “Our hearts and prayers go out to the victims of this devastating event and their families,” Cason said.

Commissioner of Indian Affairs Morris Thompson praised volunteer activity in behalf of Indian foster children April 2, as he bestowed the Indian Leadership Award of the Bureau of Indian Affairs upon an individual and a committee as part of National Action for Foster Children Week March 31 -April 6. The ceremony was held in the Department of the Interior Auditorium Washington, D.C.

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of the Interior today announced that its Office of Hearings and Appeals is operating under a new structure that will improve and expedite the resolution of Indian probate cases. OHA has created a separate hearings division to focus exclusively on these cases; is opening new offices in Alaska, S.D, and Ore.; and is increasing its staff devoted to probate adjudication.

President Ford will meet with more than 200 leaders of the American Indian community at the White House Friday afternoon (July 16), Commissioner of Indian Affairs Morris Thompson announced today.

It will be the first time a President of the United States has met with such a broad representation of the Indian leadership.