OPA

WASHINGTON – Assistant Secretary – Indian Affairs Tara Sweeney today announced that she has approved the probate code of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians in California. The Department of the Interior’s Office of Hearings and Appeals (OHA) will now apply the code when probating trust or restricted lands within the Agua Caliente Indian Reservation.

Codes such as Agua Caliente’s allow tribes to determine how trust or restricted assets within their reservations pass to heirs upon an individual’s death.

“I commend the Agua Caliente Band for taking steps to address its unique needs,” Sweeney said. “Tribal probate codes enhance tribal sovereignty through greater input by tribes on the preservation of trust assets and the reduction of land fractionation within their reservations.”

Application of tribally adopted probate codes under the American Indian Probate Reform Act (AIPRA) is changing the landscape of Indian estate planning and probate, and helps to shorten the otherwise lengthy process of probating Indian trust assets. Prior to the adoption of AIPRA, federal Indian probate law was governed by the laws of intestate succession of the state within which a tribe resides.

Tribal probate codes now empower federally recognized tribes to restore tribal homelands while addressing the historical problems of land fractionation. Land allotment in the 19th and early 20th centuries resulted in hundreds, and sometimes thousands, of individual owners thereby making it difficult to lease or develop the parcels. As a result, these highly fractionated allotments have lain dormant, unable to be used by tribes for economic or other beneficial purposes.

The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians is only the fourth federally recognized tribe to gain approval of its own probate code.

The Assistant Secretary – Indian Affairs advises the Secretary of the Interior on Indian Affairs policy issues, communicates policy to and oversees the programs of the BIA and the BIE, provides leadership in consultations with tribes, and serves as the DOI official for intra- and inter-departmental coordination and liaison within the Executive Branch on Indian matters.

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WASHINGTON – Assistant Secretary – Indian Affairs Tara Sweeney announced an extension of the National Tribal Broadband Grant program (NTBG) grant application deadline. The NTBG is open to federally recognized American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) tribes and is published in Grants.Gov from the Office of Indian Energy and Economic Development (IEED).

Funding will be for feasibility studies for the deployment or expansion of high-speed internet (broadband) transmitted, variously, through digital subscriber line (DSL), cable modem, fiber, wireless, satellite and broadband over power lines (BPL). The closing time and date for the receipt of applications and mandatory attachments is 11:59 p.m. ET on June 15, 2020.

“I look forward to reviewing the incoming proposals for the first ever National Tribal Broadband Grant program,” said Assistant Secretary Tara Sweeney. “The Trump Administration has prioritized broadband deployment and this funding will support the development and expansion of broadband connectivity in tribal communities across our great country. Given the wide-ranging uses of broadband in telemedicine, job training, education, starting and expanding businesses, public safety, and other applications, I urge tribal leaders to consider this exciting opportunity and submit proposals.”

The purpose of NTBGs is to improve the quality of life, spur economic development and commercial activity, create opportunities for self-employment, enhance educational resources and remote learning opportunities, and meet emergency and law enforcement needs by increasing broadband services to Native American communities that lack adequate connectivity.

“Broadband access on tribal lands lags far behind the rest of America and this deficit has far reaching effects, particularly as Arizona’s Native American communities are grappling with the health and economic devastation of the coronavirus pandemic,” said Senator Martha McSally (R-AZ). “Without high speed internet, tribal members are missing out on the great advancements in e-commerce, job opportunities, education, and healthcare that are increasingly becoming essential components of modern life. This extension is critical to allowing Arizona’s tribes to succeed in the advancing digital universe and I encourage our state’s tribal leaders to apply for this opportunity.”

Grants may be used to fund an assessment of the current broadband services, if any, that are available to an applicant’s community; an engineering assessment of new or expanded broadband services; an estimate of the cost of building or expanding a broadband network; a determination of the transmission medium(s) that will be employed; identification of potential funding and/or financing for the network; and consideration of financial and practical risks associated with developing a broadband network.

Questions regarding this solicitation may be addressed to James R. West, NTBG Manager, Office of Indian Energy and Economic Development, by email at jamesr.west@bia.gov or by phone at 202-595-4766.

Applicants must submit the NTBG grant SF-424 form and the Project Narrative Attachment form in a single email to IEEDBroadbandGrants@bia.gov, Attention: Ms. Jo Ann Metcalfe, Certified Grant Specialist, Bureau of Indian Affairs. Additional information about application guidance, forms and instructions can be found in the proposal solicitation notice.

The Assistant Secretary – Indian Affairs oversees the Office of Indian Energy and Economic Development whose mission is to foster stronger American Indian and Alaska Native communities by helping federally recognized tribes develop their renewable and non-renewable energy and mineral resources; increasing access to capital for tribal and individual AI/AN-owned businesses; assisting tribes in building the legal infrastructure necessary for their economic progress; and enabling tribal and individual AI/AN-owned businesses to take advantage of government and private sector procurement opportunities.

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WASHINGTON – The CARES Act Coronavirus Relief Fund for Tribal Governments provides payments to state, local, and tribal governments navigating the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak. Payments to tribal governments are to be determined by the Secretary of the Treasury in consultation with the Secretary of the Interior and American Indian and Alaska Native tribes.

“Assistant Secretary – Indian Affairs Tara Sweeney is committed to supporting all American Indians and Alaska Natives, and to suggest she has personal motives or that she is attempting to divert funds away from American Indians is completely false. Her approach has always been focused on inclusiveness, transparency and partnerships. It is unfortunate that during a time all should be united, there are those who are seeking to divide the American Indian and Alaska Native community and are suggesting to ignore the mandate of Congress and exclude eligible entities as defined by law.

Since day one of the Trump Administration and throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Indian Affairs continues to work tirelessly with the Tribes to assist their communities, provide critical resources to combat this virus and ensure all of their voices are heard. One example of Assistant Secretary Sweeney's commitment to inclusiveness and building partnerships is a call she held with Great Plains Tribal Chairmen’s Association Inc. leaders on Monday, April 13th, as a courtesy, to help the leaders from that region understand the CARES Act process, listen to their concerns and address any of their questions.” – DOI Spokesperson

The Department of the Treasury is the lead federal agency, and they are required to consult with the Department of the Interior and Tribes. Treasury must follow the law and provisions that were prescribed and passed by Congress and mandated to the Administration. The CARES Act, passed by an overwhelming bi-partisan majority, provides $8 billion in financial assistance to tribal governments.

Treasury hosted in-depth Tribal consultations as required by the CARES Act along with the Department of the Interior on April 2nd and 9th with nearly 3,000 participants representing Indian Country and Alaska Native villages. Treasury and Indian Affairs accepted written comments through April 13th, and 439 comments were received from this process.

US. Department of Treasury is requesting data from tribal governments to assist in the funding determination. The web portal and additional information is located on https://home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/cares/state-and-local-governments. Tribes are required to provide all information to receive a distribution. The window of opportunity to submit required information is short due to a compressed congressionally mandated timeframe. All information must be received by Treasury no later than 11:59 PM Eastern, April 17, 2020.

Eligible tribal governments must provide payment information and required supporting documentation using the Eligible Units: Submission Required for Receipt of Coronavirus Relief Fund Payments” Web portal. To ensure payments are made within the 30-day period specified by the CARES Act, governments must submit completed payment materials no later than 11:59 p.m. EDT on April 17, 2020. Eligible tribal governments that do not provide the required certification by that time may not receive any payment from the Fund.

Qualified expenditure guidance and other relevant tribal information will be posted as it becomes available. More information can also be found on www.bia.gov/covid-19/cares-act.

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WASHINGTON - Monday, April 13, 2020, the Department of the Treasury launched the web portal for state, local, and tribal governments to provide their information for the disbursement of the Coronavirus Relief Fund payments. Eligible tribal governments will receive payments to help offset the costs of their response to the coronavirus pandemic. Payments will be paid no later than April 24, 2020, once registered through the web portal entitled Eligible Units: Submission Required for Receipt of Coronavirus Relief Fund Payments.

“As part of the whole-of-government approach to responding to the needs of our tribes and communities, Indian Affairs stands ready to assist navigating this unprecedented process for direct funding,” said Assistant Secretary – Indian Affairs Tara Sweeney. “We must get the funds to Tribes as they respond to and mitigate the health, social, and economic impacts of the coronavirus pandemic.”

The web portal and additional information is located on https://home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/cares/state-and-local-governments. Tribes are required to provide all information to receive a distribution. The window of opportunity to submit required information is short due to a compressed congressionally mandated timeframe. All information must be received by Treasury no later than 11:59 PM Eastern, April 17, 2020.

Qualified expenditure guidance and other relevant tribal information will be posted as it becomes available. More information can also be found on www.bia.gov/covid-19/cares-act.

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WASHINGTON – The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, or CARES Act, signed into law by President Trump on Friday, provides critical relief for Indian Country to address the COVID-19 pandemic, including over $500 million in direct appropriations to Indian Affairs and an unprecedented $8 billion for Tribes.

The $8 billion will be allocated to Tribal governments with eligible expenses through the Department of the Treasury, in consultation with the Department of the Interior and Tribal governments. These consultations will help ensure that the funds will be allocated effectively to Tribes most in need of critical aid.

“The CARES Act provides a critical infusion of supplemental funding for Tribal Communities, as we rapidly respond to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs Tara Sweeney. “Coupled with the nearly a half billion dollars in direct appropriations to Indian Affairs, the historic $8 billion tribal set-aside will provide urgent financial assistance. I want to thank President Trump as well as U.S. Senators Murkowski, Sullivan, Daines, McSally and Congressman Tom Cole for their collective efforts to include American Indians and Alaskan Natives in this historic bill.”

“Arizona’s tribal communities rely heavily on the industries hardest hit by the fallout created by the COVID-19 outbreak, including tourism and hospitality,” said Senator Martha McSally (R-AZ). “Our tribes are already feeling significant strain. This legislation provides immediate cash relief and strong assistance to tribal communities impacted by this so workers and families can pay their bills. I will continue to work with the Administration to ensure this relief is administered quickly, efficiently and in a manner that works best for tribal communities.”

“As the Coronavirus pandemic impacts millions of Americans across the country, we cannot ignore one of our most vulnerable populations, Native Americans,” said Senator Steve Daines (R-MT). “I thank President Trump for signing the Coronavirus economic recovery package into law which includes my request of strong funding for our tribal communities. I look forward to getting Indian country the resources they need during this global pandemic.”

The CARES Act provides $453 million for essential services to help prepare for and respond to the pandemic, ensure continuation of government operations, and aid individual Native Americans. The legislation provides funding needed to support assistance to individuals facing loss of income, ensure law enforcement and detention center employees have necessary personal protective equipment, and implement required deep cleaning of facilities or quarantines as needed. The CARES Act also provides specific set-asides for health, housing and nutrition assistance programs that will be critical to supporting Indian Country during this time.

The legislation also provides $69 million for education-related needs, including salaries, equipment, online curriculum development and other costs. To supplement the funds directly appropriated to Bureau of Indian Education (BIE), the CARES Act also provides support through the Education Stabilization Fund. In consultation with the Secretary of the Interior, the legislation directs the Secretary of Education to allocate $153.75 million to Interior for programs operated or funded by BIE.

The CARE Act’s historic funding will provide urgent financial assistance to Tribal communities, as the Department of the Interior works to combat the COVID-19 pandemic in Indian Country. This landmark set-aside is larger than the Cobell Settlement.

The Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs advises the Secretary of the Interior on Indian Affairs policy issues, communicates policy to and oversees the programs of the BIA and the BIE, provides leadership in consultations with tribes and serves as the DOI official for intra- and inter- departmental coordination and on Indian matters.

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WASHINGTON – Today, Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs Tara Sweeney announced that the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) published its Standards, Assessments and Accountability System (SAAS) Final Rule under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). The SAAS Rule will provide the BIE with the ability to operate under a single unified assessment system intended to bolster professional development and student performance. This framework and consistency across the 23 states where BIE funded schools are located is critical to improving services and providing the high-quality education that BIE students and Tribes deserve. The Rule also defines “School Year” and “Agency Plan,” and clarifies requirements for comprehensive and targeted school support and improvement activities.

“The SAAS Rule will provide BIE-funded schools with the simplicity, clarity and consistency needed to establish a solid foundation for school improvement that better serves Indian students and Tribes,” said Assistant Secretary Tara Sweeney. “Additionally, the Rule reaffirms the right of Tribes to use Native American languages as a medium of instruction.”

The proposed rule was published in the Federal Register on June 27, 2019, with a 60-day public comment period. BIE held five in-person consultations sessions and one webinar with Tribes, eligible entities, stakeholders and interested parties. The BIE received 834 comments from stakeholders.

“The SAAS Rule gives BIE-funded schools the opportunity to operate under one unified system of standards, assessments and accountability,” said BIE Director Tony L. Dearman. “This will provide educators the ability to share research-based best practice across our organization and provide timely data needed to inform and refine practices that increase academic performance for all students.”

In 2015, the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA or the Act) was amended by ESSA. This amendment required the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) to use a negotiated rulemaking process to establish a rule governing how to define requirements for assessments and an accountability system at BIE funded schools. BIE established a Standards, Assessments, and Accountability Negotiated Rulemaking (NRM) Committee in July 2018.

The work of the Committee resulted in the development of a recommendation for a rule that would ensure a unified system of requirements for a high-quality education for both BIE-funded schools and the students served by such schools. The Committee also reached consensus on recommendations to ensure the support of Tribal governing bodies or school boards that waive the Secretary’s requirements for standards, assessments, and an accountability system and implement alternative requirements.

The Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs advises the Secretary of the Interior on Indian Affairs policy issues, communicates policy to and oversees the programs of the BIA and the BIE, provides leadership in consultations with tribes and serves as the DOI official for intra- and inter- departmental coordination and on Indian matters.

The BIE implements federal Indian education programs and funds 183 elementary schools, secondary schools and dormitories (of which over two-thirds are tribally operated) located on 64 reservations in 23 States serving an estimated 46,000 individual students. The BIE also operates two post-secondary schools and administers grants for 29 tribally controlled colleges and universities and two tribal technical colleges.

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WASHINGTON – This week, Department of the Interior Assistant Secretary - Indian Affairs Tara Sweeney issued two separate decisions taking lands into trust for the Cahto Tribe of the Laytonville Rancheria and the Catawba Indian Nation. These historic decisions, and the records supporting them, benefited from recently released guidance establishing a clear, four-step process for analyzing trust acquisitions under the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2009 decision in Carcieri v. United States.

“These decisions empower the Cahto Tribe and the Catawba Nation to pursue economic development opportunities for the benefit of their tribal members and communities. I am proud to support their efforts,” said Assistant Secretary - Indian Affairs Tara Sweeney.

The guidance follows the Solicitor of the Interior’s withdrawal of M-37029 and the issuance of the new guidance for determining eligibility. The guidance conveys to Department employees and tribes what evidence is necessary to determine whether particular tribal applicants satisfy the first definition of “Indian” as set forth in Section 19 of the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934.

“The Solicitor’s Guidance reflects the Department’s experience and expertise gained through processing fee-to-trust applications,” said Deputy Solicitor for Indian Affairs Kyle Scherer. “In addition to making the process more transparent, we anticipate the Solicitor’s Guidance will decrease costs and review times for each application.”

The land taken into trust for the Cahto Tribe is located one mile east of the historic Laytonville Rancheria and within the boundaries of the Tribe’s traditional land base in California. The acquisition will enable the Tribe to better protect sites of cultural and historic significance.

“It has been a long process for the Tribe,” said Cahto Tribe Chairwoman Mary Norris. “We are grateful that we can continue toward tribal self-sufficiency. Restoring our land is a priority for the Cahto Tribe.”

The land taken into trust for the Catawba Nation will be utilized to develop a casino and mixed-use entertainment complex under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. The property is in Kings Mountain, North Carolina. The benefits of the proposed facility will enable the Nation to expand its services and economic opportunities for its members, as well as benefiting the surrounding community.

“In my lifetime, the Catawba Nation has gone from full recognition, to termination, to restoration through an Act of Congress,” said Catawba Nation Chief William Harris. “Today, through Secretary David Bernhardt’s leadership, the Department of the Interior has acted to fully protect our sovereign and economic rights. For this, we are deeply grateful. The Nation is very thankful for the Department’s decision to take this land into trust, enabling us to achieve the promise of self-determination trough economic development. The Department has a very rigorous process for reviewing trust land acquisitions. We also appreciate the hard work of the Department’s solicitors and Bureau staff on our application, whose careful review of our history, including our historic land settlement, ensured that this decision is consistent with the Supreme Court’s Carcieri decision.”

The Solicitor’s Guidance went into effect immediately following issuance and will be used to review all fee-to-trust processes moving forward.

The Assistant Secretary – Indian Affairs advises the Secretary of the Interior on Indian Affairs policy issues, communicates policy to and oversees the programs of the BIA and the BIE, provides leadership in consultations with tribes, and serves as the DOI official for intra- and inter-departmental coordination and liaison within the Executive Branch on Indian matters.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs’ mission includes developing and protecting Indian trust lands and natural and energy resources; supporting social welfare, public safety and justice in tribal communities; and promoting tribal self-determination and self-governance.

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WASHINGTON – President Trump today proposed a $944.5 million Fiscal Year 2021 budget for the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE). The BIE’s budget request is presented separately, continuing the historical action in FY 2020 to recognize the distinct and separate responsibilities and missions of the Indian Affairs’ two bureaus. The FY2021 budget request will continue to advance BIE reform, provide autonomy and accountability, streamline services, maximize efficiency, and build capacity.

The BIE’s primary mission is to provide quality education opportunities from early childhood through life in accordance with a tribe’s need for cultural and economic well-being, in keeping with the wide diversity of American Indian and Alaska Native tribes as distinct cultural and governmental entities.

“President Trump’s 2021 budget request for the Department is about investing in our people and public lands and waters," said Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt. "He is committed to the mission of conservation and creating more public access for Americans to fully enjoy our national treasures and landscapes. This budget is a critical step in the right direction and provides a path to restore commonsense in our budgeting process.”

“The President’s request strengthens tribal communities through education reform, broadband development, and strategic investments in student success,” said Assistant Secretary – Indian Affairs Tara Sweeney. “I am very pleased that the FY 2021 budget continues to support lasting changes for management efficiencies that will vastly improve the delivery of high quality education to the future of Indian Country, our children.”

The FY 2021 budget supports the Administration’s continued commitment to advance tribal self-governance and self-determination, foster strong tribal economies and economic self-sufficiency, create educational opportunities, ensure safe Indian communities, and preserve and foster cultural heritage. The BIE manages a school system of 169 elementary and secondary schools and 14 dormitories providing education services to an estimated 46,000 individual American Indian and Alaska Native students in 23 states, as well as operates two post-secondary schools and administers grants for 29 tribally controlled colleges and universities and two tribal technical colleges.

The FY 2021 budget request for the BIE is $944.5 million in current appropriations. The Bureau estimates the requested budget will support staffing of 2,894 FTE in 2021.

The request for the Operation of Indian Education Programs account is $875.7 million and prioritizes direct school operations, school improvement, and completing the Bureau’s Strategic Direction and reform efforts to improve service and technical assistance for BIE-funded schools. Funding includes:

• $728.7 million for Elementary and Secondary programs,
• $97.9 million for Post-Secondary programs, and
• $49.0 million for Education Management.

The budget continues to invest in activities that promote students’ educational self-determination by seeking $83.6 million for Tribal Grant Support Costs for tribes operating BIE-funded schools, an amount that will support 100 percent of the estimated requirement.

The FY 2021 request provides $33.7 million for Education Program Management. This will enable the Bureau to continue building much-needed capacity in order to decouple overlapping functions it has with the Bureau of Indian Affairs in critical areas such as facilities, safety and acquisitions, and support staff at BIE’s associate deputy director offices and education resource centers providing direct and customized technical assistance to schools.

The FY 2021 request includes an increase of $5.0 million to expand and upgrade broadband access at BIE-funded schools to provide a 21st-century learning environment, where educators and students in remote locations can access innovative resources, support online testing, and access knowledge and expertise worldwide.

The requested increase supports high-cost special fiber construction and increased monthly circuit costs for remaining schools without access – those in the most remote and hard-to-access-areas. Remaining funding will be used to begin upgrading all BIE schools to recommended educational standards to provide appropriate internet connectivity and keep pace with public schools. As school upgrades are completed, the BIE network also will need commensurate work to ensure appropriate response times. The Department will continue to leverage the Federal Communications Commission’s E-rate program, which helps schools and libraries obtain affordable broadband with up to a 90 percent discount of eligible costs.

Education Construction – In addition to support through the Administration’s Public Lands Infrastructure Fund legislative proposal, the FY 2021 budget requests $68.9 million in annual funding for Education Construction as follows:

• $62.8 million for Facility Improvement and Repair at existing schools to provide an environment conducive to educational achievement,
• $5.1 million for BIE employee housing repair, and
• $1.0 million in new funding for employee housing replacement.

Available funding from prior years will complete school construction projects listed on the Bureau’s Replacement School Construction Priority List published in the Federal Register on March 24, 2004, and continue design and construction phases for schools on a subsequent list published on April 29, 2016.

The Assistant Secretary – Indian Affairs advises the Secretary of the Interior on Indian Affairs policy issues, communicates policy to and oversees the programs of the BIA and the BIE, provides leadership in consultations with tribes, and serves as the DOI official for intra- and inter- departmental coordination and liaison within the Executive Branch on Indian matters.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs’ mission includes developing and protecting Indian trust lands and natural and energy resources; supporting social welfare, public safety and justice in tribal communities; and promoting tribal self-determination and self-governance.

The Bureau of Indian Education implements federal Indian education programs and funds 183 elementary schools, secondary schools, and dormitories (of which over two-thirds are tribally operated) located on 64 reservations in 23 States serving an estimated 46,000 individual students. The BIE also operates two post-secondary schools and administers grants for 29 tribally controlled colleges and universities and two tribal technical colleges.

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WASHINGTON – President Trump today proposed a $1.9 billion Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 budget for Indian Affairs, which includes the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and the Office of the Assistant Secretary – Indian Affairs.

“President Trump’s 2021 budget request for the Department is about investing in our people and public lands and waters," said Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt. "He is committed to the mission of conservation and creating more public access for Americans to fully enjoy our national treasures and landscapes. This budget is a critical step in the right direction and provides a path to restore commonsense in our budgeting process.”

“The President’s request strengthens tribal communities through strategic investments in public safety, energy and broadband development, while implementing management efficiencies to improve Indian Affairs’ operations and fully funding contract support costs and a new account for Payments for Tribal Leases,” said Assistant Secretary – Indian Affairs Tara Sweeney. “I am thankful that the FY 2021 budget provides support for the Operation Lady Justice and BIA law enforcement to meet head-on the factors that contribute to and exacerbate the nation’s crisis of missing and murdered Native Americans.”

The FY 2021 budget supports DOI’s continuing efforts to advance tribal self-governance and self-determination, foster strong tribal economies, and support safe tribal communities through a range of activities. The BIA funds programs for tribal government, social services, law enforcement, infrastructure, and stewardship of trust lands, water and other natural resources in Indian Country.

Operation of Indian Programs: The FY 2021 budget proposal for the BIA Operation of Indian Programs account is $1.4 billion. The budget prioritizes operations and program assistance to American Indian and Alaska Native service populations.

Promoting Tribal Self-Determination – The Department supports tribal sovereignty by aiding federally recognized Tribes work to strengthen and sustain their governmental systems. The FY 2021 requests $337.4 million for Tribal Government programs:

• $178.2 million for activities conducted by self-governance Tribes.
• $81.7 million to support Consolidated Tribal Government programs, which also promote tribal self-determination by giving approximately 275 Tribes the flexibility to combine and manage contracted programs and grants that are similar or compatible to simplify contracting.
• $1.5 million for the New Tribes account, which includes $320,000 for the newly recognized Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians in Montana to support its work establishing and administering its government.

Protecting Indian Country – The BIA Office of Justice Services (OJS) funds public safety and justice programs in tribal communities. These programs safeguard life and property, enforce laws, maintain justice and order, and ensure offenders detained in OJS-operated or funded facilities are held in safe, secure and human environments. The OJS operates the Indian Police Academy for tribal law enforcement and corrections officer training for both direct-service and tribally operated programs.

The FY 2021 budget request of $423.7 million for Public Safety and Justice activities includes:

• $390.4 million to directly support 191 law enforcement programs and 96 corrections programs run either by Tribes themselves or by OJS as direct services. Within this amount:
  • $20.0 million for drug enforcement efforts to help strengthen the federal response to an observed increase in drug activity on Indian lands.
  • $22.3 million for Tribal Justice Support programs that include tribal courts assessments and support, technical assistance for tribal legal codes, and implementing strategies critical to the protection of women in tribal communities, including Violence Against Women Act training.
  • $3.0 million for a law enforcement special initiative to support the Operation Lady Justice Task Force on Missing and Murdered American Indians and Alaska Natives established by President Trump’s November 2019 Executive Order 13898. The Task Force will bring together multiple agencies and tribal representatives to develop and deploy new investigative teams focused on missing persons, domestic violence and other violent crime cold cases in Indian Country within tribal jurisdiction.

To further OJS’s ability to collaborate with its federal, state and tribal counterparts when developing and implementing strategies to increase public safety in Indian Country, the FY 2021 budget proposes to realign management oversight of certain OJS activities – Criminal Investigations and Police Services, Detentions and Corrections, the Law Enforcement Special Initiatives Program, and the Indian Policy Academy – from the BIA to the Office of the Assistant Secretary – Indian Affairs. The change will not affect the current budget structure. The OJS activities to remain with the BIA are Emergency Management, the Office of Tribal Justice Support, Tribal Courts and the Fire Protection Program.

Supporting Indian Communities – Because sustaining American Indian and Alaska Native families is critical to thriving tribal communities, BIA Indian Services (OIS) supports a community-based approach to child welfare, family stability and strengthening tribal communities. The FY 2021 budget request $87.5 million for Human Services activities which support programs providing social services and Indian Child Welfare Act protections.

Managing Trust Resources and Lands – The BIA Trust Services (OTS) activity supports DOI’s stewardship and development of energy resources on Indian trust lands and assists tribal governments in managing, developing and protecting 56 million surface acres of trust lands and 59 million acres of subsurface trust mineral estates. These programs enable tribal landowners to optimize the conservation or use of their trust resources to produce revenues and jobs and to protect those with cultural, spiritual and traditional significance.

The FY 2021 budget includes $209.7 million for natural resource management programs:

• $54.1 million for Forestry programs supporting active forest management on Indian forest lands managed by 300 Tribes across 18.7 million acres.
• $14.4 million for Fish, Wildlife, and Parks for tribal activities in fisheries operations and maintenance, outdoor recreation, public access, and conservation enforcement.
• $10.7 million for Water Resources management activities.
• $14.1 million for the Irrigation Operation and Maintenance program for operation and maintenance of Indian irrigation project infrastructure, that includes payments required by legal directives, reimbursement to the Bureau of Reclamation for water storage, and costs for continued delivery of water by and to irrigation systems.

Minerals and Mining Activities – Energy and mineral production proved to be the largest source of revenue from natural resources on trust lands with over $1.1 billion in revenues paid to tribal governments and individual mineral rights owners in 2019. In Secretarial Order 3377, Secretary Bernhardt demonstrated the commitment to tribal self-determination by improving the energy development process on Indian lands.

The FY 2021 request funds Minerals and Mining activities at $25.7 million to support the Administration’s priority for domestic energy abundance and economic development. The budget supports the management and development of energy resources on tribal lands, through programs such as the Indian Energy Service Center (IESC), a one-stop-shop that facilitates coordinating Indian energy development activities across Interior’s bureaus and provides a full suite of energy development-related services to tribal governments throughout Indian Country. The FY 2021 budget proposes to realign the Division of Energy and Mineral Development from Indian Affairs’ Office of Indian Energy and Economic Development, where it is currently, to the Office of Trust Services. This will improve communication and coordination, reduce redundancies, streamline processes, offer cross-staffing opportunities, and lead to increased performance and delivery of energy-related services to Tribes.

Maintaining Fiduciary Trust Responsibilities – The Trust-Real Estate Services activity advances Indian trust ownership and improves Indian trust-related information. The FY 2021 budget proposes $124.2 million for BIA Real Estate Services program activities, which include processing Indian trust-related documents, such as land titles and records and geospatial data, supporting land and water resources use, energy development, and protecting and restoring ecosystems and important lands. The request includes $13.0 for probate services to determine ownership of trust assets essential to economic development and accurate payments to beneficiaries.

Supporting Economic Opportunities – The FY 2021 budget funds the Community and Economic Development activity at $27.5 million. This includes $10.3 million for Economic Development, which contains $8.5 million to promote broadband deployment in Indian Country with most of it in the form of direct funding opportunities for Tribes and technical assistance for broadband development, and $12.5 million for Job Placement and Training to assist individuals in securing jobs at livable wages.

Tribal Priority Allocations – The FY 2021 budget request is $625.3 million for this activity.

Contract Support Costs: The FY 2021 budget request maintains the Administration’s support for tribal self-determination and strengthening tribal communities. CSCs enable tribal governments to administer federal programs themselves by covering their associated operating costs. The request funds the CSC account at $285.5 million, which fully supports estimated needs assuming BIA program funding at the FY 2021 request level. The CSC funding request is in a separate indefinite current account to ensure full funding for this priority.

Payments for Tribal Leases: The budget proposes $21.6 million in a new indefinite discretionary appropriation account for Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act section 105(l) facility lease agreements in support of tribal self-determination. The budget also proposes legislative language to improve the management of these leases through the establishment of standardized procedures for receiving and processing lease requests from Tribes and tribal organizations.

Funding from the Payments for Tribal Leases account could be used for either Bureau of Indian Affairs or Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) 105(l) facility lease costs. The indefinite appropriation addresses the difficulty of predicting actual costs for these leases far enough in advance to meet budget formulation schedules.

Construction: The FY 2021 budget request of $59.8 million for Construction activities includes:

• $36.2 million for the rehabilitation of dams, irrigation projects and irrigation systems that deliver and store water to aid tribal economic development, including $19.9 million for the Safety of Dams program, which is currently responsible for 139 high- or significant-hazard dams on 41 Indian reservations, and $13.1 million for Irrigation Project Construction, which addresses critical deferred maintenance and construction work on BIA-owned-and-operated irrigation facilities, including 17 irrigation projects, with a focus on health and safety concerns;
• $13.1 million for other construction-related programs, including $2.9 million for facilities improvement and repair at regional and agency offices, $1.1 million for telecommunications projects, and $5.6 million for construction program management; and $3.3 million for operations and maintenance of completed sections of the Fort Peck Water System in Montana, as required by law; and
• $10.4 million for public safety and justice construction, including $4.1 million for facilities improvement and repair and $3.1 million for employee housing.

Land and Water Claims Settlements: The FY 2021 request includes $43.9 million for Federal commitments to Settlements, which resolve tribal land and water rights claims and ensure Tribes have access to land and water for their domestic, economic and cultural needs. The infrastructure projects supported by these agreements improve the health and well-being of tribal members, preserve communities, and bring potential for economic development.

The BIE budget request of $944.5 million is presented separately.

The Assistant Secretary – Indian Affairs advises the Secretary of the Interior on Indian Affairs policy issues, communicates policy to and oversees the programs of the BIA and the BIE, provides leadership in consultations with Tribes, and serves as the DOI official for intra- and inter- departmental coordination and liaison within the Executive Branch on Indian matters.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs’ mission includes developing and protecting Indian trust lands and natural and energy resources; supporting social welfare, public safety and justice in tribal communities; and promoting tribal self-determination and self-governance.

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WASHINGTON – Assistant Secretary – Indian Affairs Tara Sweeney is proud to announce that the Office of Indian Energy and Economic Development (IEED) awarded business development grants totaling $727,229 to 21 federally recognized American Indian and Alaska Native tribes. Over half of the awards are for proposed or existing projects located in Opportunity Zones.

The awards from IEED’s Native American Business Development Institute (NABDI) Feasibility Study Program will enable tribal leaders to better evaluate and identify viable economic opportunities for their communities.

“Native American Business Development Institute grants are a cost-effective means that tribal governments can utilize to investigate whether or not potential economic activities are viable for them and their communities,” Assistant Secretary – Indian Affairs Tara Sweeney said. “They must consider all ways, including Opportunity Zones, that will help them build sustainable tribal economies that generate revenue, meet community needs and create jobs. The 2019 NABDI awardees are a reflection of how seriously tribal leaders view their goals for creating economic self-determination. These grants are just one of the ways we assist them in achieving their goals.”

NABDI awards fund feasibility studies that weigh the viability and risks of an economic development project, opportunity, enterprise, or business or the practicality of a technology a tribe may choose to pursue. The studies may be used to determine the likelihood of success for businesses in specific American Indian and Alaska Native communities.

When performed by a reputable third party, an economic development feasibility study also can be used to help persuade lenders and investors to provide financial backing. A study that concludes a project is worthwhile and financially sustainable can often fulfill many of the lender’s or investor’s due diligence requirements by answering questions about a project’s chances of success, resulting in a more rapid loan approval or better loan terms. Feasibility studies can also be used to examine the credibility of a project promoter and claims made regarding a specific project.

Grants are awarded on the basis of a proposal’s potential to create jobs for tribal members and stimulate economies in Native American communities.

The grant recipients and award amounts are:

• Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes of the Fort Peck Indian Reservation, Montana: $29,500 for a feasibility study on developing and operating a hotel and conference center on a 69-acre parcel of property located adjacent to the Poplar Airport and U.S. Highway 2, an east-west route across the reservation.
• Chippewa Cree Indians of the Rocky Boy’s Reservation, Montana: $30,000 for a feasibility study on building and operating an on-reservation, combined fuel station, convenience store and oil change facility.
• Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation, Washington: $35,000 for a feasibility study to determine the best use for its Bigler parcel and to examine what types of tenants could further the Tribes’ goals for its light industrial/warehouse/distribution center project.
• Confederated Tribes of the Goshute Reservation, Nevada and Utah: $36,000 to examine a 16-acre proposed commercial site on the Tribes’ reservation land parcel in Nevada for tourism, including a recreational vehicle (RV) park.
• Delaware Nation, Oklahoma: $20,000 for a feasibility study to quantify and describe the public sector market opportunity, identify target customers and go-to-market sales and marketing strategies, contracting details, and assess labor and other operational aspects of opening a proposed second Channel Blend call center in the state.
• Elk Valley Rancheria, California: $30,000 to study the development of a destination resort comprised of a hotel, conference center, casino and parking facility on its 203.5-acre land parcel situated along U.S. Highway 101 that is more accessible to customers than its currently located gaming business.
• Elko Band (Te-Moak Tribe of Western Shoshone Indians of Nevada): $39,700 for a feasibility study to determine the financial viability of constructing a tribally owned-and-operated 20-bed, for-profit hospital and elective surgery center on a 10-acre commercial site within the Elko Band Colony.
• Fond du Lac Band (Minnesota Chippewa Tribe): $33,400 to investigate the feasibility of starting a commercial wood boiler manufacturing business on the Band’s reservation in Carton County, Minn.
• Gila River Indian Community, Arizona: $35,000 to take advantage of investments in digital communications access, training and small business support.
• Hoopa Valley Tribe, California: $39,750 for a feasibility study to determine the size, scope and viability of a travel center to be located on the Tribe’s reservation.
• Hualapai Indian Tribe, Arizona: $40,000 to study utilizing the Tribe’s location on Route 66, its close proximity to and having the only road access to the bottom of the Grand Canyon, for a major tourist attraction that includes an RV park.
• Kashia Band of Pomo Indians of the Stewarts Point Rancheria, Nevada: $34,807 for a feasibility study to determine the viability of a for-profit abalone farm and serve as a third-party due diligence document for raising capital for the project.
• Leech Lake Band (Minnesota Chippewa Tribe): $35,000 for retaining outside consultants to assist the Band with determining the feasibility of developing on-reservation affordable housing and with structuring tax- and business-related incentives to secure outside investment to support these efforts, and doing this on a scale that meets the demand for on-reservation housing for the next 20 years.
• Lower Brule Sioux Tribe, South Dakota: $38,000 for a feasibility study to explore the costs and benefits of having the Tribe’s business and economic development arm pursue expansion and evolution of its existing propane program into the more formal and official Lower Brule Propane Company.
• Nulato Village, Alaska: $40,000 for a feasibility study to identify which parts of a house, if made of wood, can be standardized using locally sourced lumber and standardized procedures.
• Organized Village of Kake, Alaska: $34,300 for a feasibility study for a mariculture business developing seaweed in the waters around the village that will be part of a sustainable, diversified local economy providing permanent jobs with living wages.
• Passamaquoddy Tribe - Pleasant Point, Maine: $35,000 for a proposed on-reservation project that would re-direct and re-invest monies the Tribe spends off-reservation on fuels for its tribal government-owned land and water transportation and road maintenance fleets.
• Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe, Michigan: $30,938 for a comprehensive market analysis on the development of a proposed on-reservation Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) complex for tribal members and their families, whose members are in recovery from substance use disorders (SUDs).
• Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe, New York: $40,000 for a feasibility study, and for business and capitalization planning, to assist the Tribe with its plans to renovate and re-purpose a historic 92-year old former hydroelectric power dam building as an art park/art gallery.
• Sitka Tribe of Alaska: $35,834 for a feasibility study to determine if a proposed project to create value-added products and ensure a safe, educational tannery experience for tourists visiting Sitka is a good economic opportunity for the Tribe.
• South Fork Band (Te-Moak Tribe of Western Shoshone Indians of Nevada): $35,000 for a financial feasibility study on its RV park project to provide assurances that the master site development’s third phase has a reasonable chance of financial success, and help ensure the enterprise’s options are economically sustainable over an extended period of time without long-term external subsidies and reconfiguration or delays in the construction and opening of the development.

The Assistant Secretary – Indian Affairs oversees the Office of Indian Energy and Economic Development, which implements the Indian Energy Resource Development Program under Title V of the Energy Policy Act of 2005. IEED’s mission is to foster stronger American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities by helping federally recognized tribes develop their renewable and nonrenewable energy and mineral resources; increasing access to capital for tribal and individual American Indian- and Alaska Native-owned businesses; assisting tribes in building the legal infrastructure necessary for their economic progress; and enabling tribally and individual AI/AN-owned businesses to take advantage of government and private sector procurement opportunities.

Visit the Indian Affairs website for more information about IEED programs and services.

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