Past News Items

WASHINGTON, D.C. – As part of President Obama’s commitment to support tribal self-governance and self-determination, Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell today announced a package of regulatory initiatives intended to help tribal leaders to spur investment opportunities and economic development in Indian Country.

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Sixteen Crow Indians were greeted by newsmen Embassy officials at Dulles Airport here Tuesday as they changed from the airplane that brought them from Billings, Mont., to one that would take them to London, England on an European tour may rival those staged by Buffalo Bill Cody.

The Department of the Interior has recommended enactment of Federal legislation authorizing long-term leasing of lands on the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Reservation and the Papago Reservation, both in Arizona.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Bureau of Indian Affairs Director Michael S. Black will deliver the keynote address at the 23rd Annual Indian Country Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Service on Thursday, May 1, 2014, at the BIA Indian Police Academy in Artesia, N.M. He will be accompanied by BIA Office of Justice Services (OJS) Deputy Bureau Director Darren Cruzan.

American Indians now are participating in all programs offered for the disadvantaged under the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964, the Department of the Interior said today.

The extent of Indian participation in these programs, operated by the Office of Economic Opportunity with Interior Department cooperation is summarized below:

Job Corps

Through Job Corps Conservation Centers spotted across the Nation, disadvantaged young people receive a second chance at schooling coupled with skill training and a change of environment.

Last week, Vice President Biden and Health and Human Services Secretary Sebelius spoke directly to tribal leaders and community members on the benefits of the Affordable Care Act for American Indians and Alaska Natives. The Vice President and the Secretary encouraged action from tribal leaders and community members, to get them, their friends, and their relatives enrolled! March 24th is the National Tribal Day of Action on Affordable Care Act enrollment - a perfect opportunity for Indian Country to rally with community partners in health to organize an Affordable Care Act enrollment event.

Commissioner of Indian Affairs Louis R. Bruce today announced the appointment of Orville N. Hicks, 44, a graduate of Colorado State University in range management and a veteran of 20 years of Bureau of Indian Affairs service as Superintendent of the new Lower Brule Agency, Bureau of Indian Affairs, with headquarters at Lower Brule, S. Dak.

He will assume the duties of his post January 9.

Publication of a new 96-page conservation booklet, "Quest for Quality," was announced today by Secretary of the Interior Stewart L. Udall, It will be distributed initially to those participating in the White House Conference on Natural Beauty, being held next week (May 24-25) in Washington, D. C.

WASHINGTON, DC – As part of President Obama’s 7th annual White House Tribal Nations Conference, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell and Assistant Secretary-Indian Affairs Kevin Washburn today announced that the Department of the Interior has expanded leasing provisions to give Indian landowners greater control over the use and development of their land. They also announced the launch of Native One Stop, a website where tribal members can locate important federal resources they may be eligible to receive.

Secretary of the Interior Rogers C.B. Morton today announced the appointment of John O. Crow as Deputy Commissioner of the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

Since 1966, Crow has served as Associate Director of Interior's Bureau of Land Management. Previously, he had lengthy and varied experience in the Indian Bureau.

Secretary Morton said: The appointment of John O. Crow will be a key factor in strengthening management of the Bureau and, most important, improving the lot of the American Indian."