News by Year

Swinomish Indian Tribal Community members and staff tend the clam garden.

For the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community (SITC), reviving the ancient tradition of clam gardening is not just about sustaining a traditional food or building resilience to climate change, it’s about community — strengthening connections across the Swinomish community and sharing knowledge with other Indigenous communities.

Date: 12/27/23
Students at Pine Springs Day School in a classroom learning their native language.

Funding will support “all-of-community” Native language immersion programs.

Date: 12/21/23
Davis Dam in colorado.

WASHINGTON – The Department of the Interior today announced a $27 million investment from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda to protect Tribal communities by repairing and upgrading clean water systems and replacing failing dams.

Date: 12/19/23
A photo reviewing blueprints for an infrastructure project.

WASHINGTON – Today, the Department of the Interior’s Office of the Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs announced the distribution of over $1.4 billion in contracts to Indian Economic Enterprises in Fiscal Year 2023 across the Department, which includes $1.03 billion awarded to Indian Small Business Economic Enterprises, a historical high for the Department.

Date: 12/07/23
The White House Tribal Nations Summit logo.

WASHINGTON — In opening remarks at the 2023 White House Tribal Nations Summit today, Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland announced that the White House Council on Native American Affairs (WHCNAA) is taking critical steps to improve access to capital across Indian Country, including through the launch of an online clearinghouse that will serve as a searchable repository for an up-to-date list of all federal funding opportunities, including grants and loans, available to Tribal Nations and Native businesses.

Date: 12/06/23
The White House Tribal Nations Summit logo.

WASHINGTON – The Department of the Interior’s Office of the Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs today announced a final rule to update the federal regulations governing fee-to-trust, or land-into-trust, acquisitions that transfer land title to the United States to be held in trust for the benefit of a Tribe or individual Tribal citizen.

Date: 12/06/23
Students throwing a football outside at T'iis Nazbas Community School in Arizona.

WASHINGTON – Ahead of the 2023 White House Tribal Nations Summit, Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs Bryan Newland announced that the Department of the Interior is transferring more than $300,000 to the National Fund for Excellence in American Indian Education, a federally chartered charitable nonprofit corporation established by Congress to further educational opportunities for American Indian students attending schools funded by the Bureau of Indian Education.

Date: 12/05/23
Department of the Interior logo

DOI published revised regulations and new departmental guidance documents that strengthen Tribal sovereignty and Tribal self-determination, center Indigenous Knowledge, and prioritize responsible stewardship of Native American human remains, cultural items, and sites sacred to Tribes and Native Hawaiians.

Date: 12/01/23
A Native American family gathering on a couch.

Nearly $2 million will help stabilize American Indian and Alaska Native families and communities

Date: 11/30/23
The fully staffed Timber Team visiting the Deep Pond Recreation Site on the Narragansett Tribal Trust Lands of Rhode Island

In FY23, the Timber Team added five new foresters to better assist Tribes with forestry tasks such as Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) ground truthing, timber sale preparation work, and forest inventories. The Timber Team traveled over 23 weeks across seven states and six BIA Regions to assist 12 different tribes.

Date: 11/30/23
The Haskell Indian Nations University logo.

Haskell Indian Nations University, a Bureau of Indian Education-operated post-secondary institution in Lawrence, Kansas, is one of four Tribal colleges and universities awarded a Tribal College Small Business Achievement Grant by the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Date: 11/29/23
Two Americorps National Civilian Conservation Corps members in the forest.

In September, 2023, AmeriCorps and the U.S. Forest Service launched Forest Corps – a five-year $15 million agreement, and the first major interagency partnership under President Biden’s American Climate Corps.

Date: 11/06/23
USDA 1994 Tribal Scholars Program now accepting applications. Deadline is December 1, 2023.

The US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) 1994 Tribal Scholars Program provides full tuition, fees, books, a housing stipend, and paid workforce training to any interested and eligible student pursuing degrees in agriculture, food, natural resource sciences, or related academic disciplines at a Tribal college or university (TCU).

Date: 11/06/23
Contest information for the Young Tribal Leaders Art contest, available at bia.gov/service/art-contest

The Bureau of Indian Affairs Division of Environmental Services and Cultural Resource Management announces the 2023 Young Tribal Leaders Art Contest to highlight the perspectives and creativity of Native youth and young professionals across the nation.

Date: 10/26/23
Intertribal Timber Council logo

The Intertribal Timber Council has two scholarship opportunities for Native American and Alaskan Native students whose area of study or research is related to natural resources. The deadlines are December 1, 2023 and January 26, 2024.

Date: 10/24/23
Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute voter registration office photo.

This announcement follows the decision to designate the college as a voter registration agency under the National Voter Registration Act.

Date: 09/28/23
Department of the Interior seal on landscape background

Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland announced the publication of new policies to strengthen the Department of the Interior’s (DOI) ability to meet its mission in the face of a changing climate.

Date: 09/28/23
A fisherman holding up a large fish to the camera.

Resources will support Tribal fishing rights and economic development

Date: 09/27/23
American Climate Corps logo

The Biden-Harris administration launches the American Climate Corps, which aims to employ over 20,000 Americans and provide young people the skills-based training necessary for working in the clean energy and climate resilience economy.

Date: 09/20/23
NCAI Youth Commission flyer with details about Co-Vice President election

Apply to be the new Co-Vice President of the National Congress of American Indians Youth Commission by October 2, 2023.

Date: 09/19/23
Interior employees building a bridge while one person is hammering a nail into a piece of wood.

Funding will provide Indigenous youth with opportunities to engage in meaningful public service projects on federal and Tribal lands.

Date: 09/11/23
A close up photo of a bison in a herd.

$5 million in funding will further goals of Department’s Grasslands Keystone Initiative

Date: 09/07/23
2023 BIA exclusive use contract air attack platform

BIA aviation contracts sensor enhanced air attack aircraft for technologically advanced fire and range management objectives.

Date: 08/22/23
The FY2023 Awards FAQ Webinar and Grant Writing Workshop now available.

Recordings of the TCR FY23 Annual Awards Program FAQ Webinar and Grant Writing Workshop are now available to view online.

Date: 08/16/23
A photo of a young group of journalism students.

Students & faculty win Indigenous Journalists Association awards

Date: 08/15/23
A photo of Tribal housing with access to electricity on Navajo Nation.

Investment from Inflation Reduction Act will help Tribes electrify homes, expand availability of clean energy in Indian Country

Date: 08/15/23
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Science Mission Directorate Climate Change Research Initiative program logo

NASA’s Science Mission Directorate’s Climate Change Research Initiative (CCRI) program is recruiting STEM educators and students to participate in an interdisciplinary, collaborative, year-long STEM engagement and experiential learning opportunity. Educator and graduate student candidates will work directly with NASA scientists and lead research teams on a NASA research project hosted at either the NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies, CUNY City College of Technology in New York City, NY, or the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, MD. The summer component of each CCRI project also includes undergraduate and high school interns.

Date: 08/10/23
A photo of an employee digitizing a paper record toward modernizing the workplace.

Revisions to allow faster decision-making and review

Date: 08/09/23
Announcement
Map of the united states showing previously funded TCR projects, via the TCR Dashboard

With a combination of funds from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Inflation Reduction Act, and annual appropriations, the BIA Branch of Tribal Climate Resilience (TCR) has announced a historic $120 million to help Tribal communities plan for climate-related environmental threats to their homelands as part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda.

Date: 08/07/23
A 24-hour global dialogue with one purpose: Save our planet. United Nations Institute for Training and Research

The Global Indigenous Youth Summit on Climate Change is a global dialogue, developed by, for, and among Indigenous youth taking place on August 9, 2023. The main objectives are to share youth perspectives, approaches, observations, concerns, interests and strategies to address the local impacts of climate change across Indigenous communities on Earth and inspire Indigenous youth leaders to think short-to-long term across their lifetimes into the 22nd century to empower progress with sustainable development at local-to-global levels.

Date: 08/03/23
Environmental Protection Agency National Environmental Youth Advisory Council, apply by 8/22/23 at epa.gov/NEYAC

Join the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) National Environmental Youth Advisory Council, a committee by the youth and for the youth. Applications are now open for EPA’s new National Environmental Youth Advisory Council, a space for young people to provide a critical perspective on how climate change and other environmental harms impact their communities. 

Date: 08/03/23
The Wildlife Society Native Peoples Wildlife Management

The Wilderness Society (TWS) Native People’s Wildlife Management Working Group (NPWMWG) has announced the 2023 Native Student Professional Development (NSPD) Program where up to 10 individuals will be selected to attend the TWS national conference. This will include complimentary conference registration, conference mentorship, one-year TWS & NPWMWG membership, stipend for trainings and books, wildlife career panel discussion, networking events, and engagement with TWS leadership.

Date: 08/03/23
A photo with water drying up from the land.

Tribal Climate Resilience Program announces largest annual funding opportunity to date as part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda.

Date: 07/19/23
readi logo

Renewable Energy Accelerated Deployment Initiative (READI) is now accepting registrations for Tribal Engagement Sessions.

Date: 07/01/23
BIA fire leadership and acting regional director stand together for photo following the afternoon memorial service.

The national week of remembrance, June 30 – July 6, not only honors those who have tragically died battling wildfires, but provides an opportunity to remember, reflect and learn from the tragic incidents that have taken the lives of wildland firefighters.

The June 30, 2023, 10th anniversary memorial services recognized the 19 Granite Mountain Hotshot crewmembers lost in the Yarnell Hill Fire on June 30, 2013: Andrew Ashcraft, age 29; Robert Caldwell, age 23; Travis Carter, age 31; Dustin Deford, age 24; Christopher MacKenzie, age 30; Eric Marsh, age 43; Grant McKee, age 21; Sean Misner, age 26; Scott Norris, age 28; Wade Parker, age 22; John Percin, age 24; Anthony Rose, age 23; Jesse Steed, age 36; Joe Thurston, age 32; Travis Turbyfill, age 27; William Warneke, age 25; Clayton Whitted, age 28, Kevin Woyjeck, age 21; and Garret Zuppiger, age 27.

Date: 06/30/23
Aerial photo of Wingate Elementary School  in Fort Wingate, NM.

Bureau of Indian Education schools will receive virtual counseling and on-site crisis services

Date: 06/29/23
Medical Incident Technician training participants take part in a practice medical scenario outdoors.

In late May, wildland fire responders including helitack staff, smokejumpers, fire engine operators and technicians attended a 40-hour Medical Incident Technician (MIT) training at the Jim Hall Foothills Learning Center Boise, Idaho, to gain the skills necessary to help their fellow crew members in an emergency.

Date: 06/28/23
A home on the reservation

Milestone reached with approval of Pueblo of Santa Clara’s leasing ordinance

Date: 05/31/23
A photo of ethernet cords promoting larger access to broadband services.

Grants to help shrink the digital divide in Indian Country

Date: 05/24/23
The official headshot of the new Haskell Indian Nations University President Dr. Francis Arpan

Dr. Francis Arpan, a citizen of the Yankton Sioux Tribe, will serve as the new president of Haskell Indian Nations University.

Date: 05/23/23
A photo of a dam in the distance on tribal land.

Following a tour of the Hopi Tribe’s Keams Canyon Water Project, Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland announced a $48 million investment from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda to repair and revitalize Tribal water sanitation systems, upgrade irrigation and power projects and invest in the safety of dams in Tribal communities.

Date: 05/22/23
A close up photo of a drum and drum sticks crossed over the drum between songs.

Program updates include larger grant amounts and multi-year projects

Date: 05/17/23
A group of workers part of the Tiwahe Initiative.

12 Tribes receive funding for family programs to promote resilient Tribal communities

Date: 03/29/23
American Bison graze in newly restored grasslands on The Prairie Band Potawatomi Indian Reservation.

In support of the Department’s efforts to restore the American Bison species and integrate Indigenous Knowledge into our shared stewardship goals, BIA Division of Wildland Fire management will continue its work to replenish natural grasslands and shelter to support bison populations.

Date: 03/20/23
2022 3D color LiDAR capture of a tree stand provided by Northwest Management, Inc.

The Hualapai (People of the Tall Pine) Tribe is in northwest Arizona with a land base that encompasses over a million acres. The land has four primary fuel types: timber – Ponderosa Pine, woodland – Pinyon and Juniper, grassland – sage, and riparian – Cottonwood and Salt Cedar. In FY2022, $1,898,187 of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) funding, amounting to approximately $1.85 per acre, was granted to the Tribe for a 5-year project called Jump Start. The project is using Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) technology to capture 3D imagery of the Tribe’s vegetation, infrastructure, watersheds, and overall land to help the Tribe with numerous current and future land management and use projects.

Date: 03/20/23
Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland looking through a tower viewer.

30 Tribes and organizations receive funding to support economic development.

Date: 03/16/23
Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs Bryan Newland

Budget maintains strong support for Tribal communities.

Date: 03/09/23
BIA and BTFA staff holding the new sign reading "Bureau of Indian Affairs Tohono O'odham Agency."

Joint celebration held with Tohono O’odham Nation

Date: 03/07/23
Official head shot of Tamarah Pfeiffer, Ph.D., a member of the Navajo Nation.

WASHINGTON – Tamarah Pfeiffer, Ph.D., a member of the Navajo Nation, has been appointed as the president of Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute (SIPI).

Date: 03/01/23
Photo of the Alaskan landscape.

The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs today announced new policy guidance to clarify the criteria and procedures for evaluating petitions for organization under the Alaska Indian Reorganization Act.

Date: 02/10/23
demd graphic

WASHINGTON – Assistant Secretary – Indian Affairs Bryan Newland announced today that the Tribal Energy Development Capacity Grant Program awarded more than $2.5 million to federally recognized American Indian Tribes and Alaska Native entities to develop Tribal energy resources.

Date: 02/02/23
Remote location with large wind turbines in the Southwest supporting Native American energy

$2.5 million awarded to Tribes and organizations

Date: 02/02/23
Industrial machine during golden hour in a field.

WASHINGTON – The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs today announced proposed revisions to the federal regulations at 25 C.F.R. Part 226 regarding leasing of the Osage Mineral Estate for oil and gas mining.

Date: 01/12/23