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Indian Affairs - Office of Public Affairs

Department of the Interior Deputy Assistant Secretary-Indian Affairs James H. McDivitt today announced his approval of an application to take into trust a 55-acre parcel of land located in Hudson, Wisconsin, for three Federally-recognized Indian Tribes for gaming purposes after determining it would be in the best interest of the Tribes without being detrimental to the surrounding community. The application was submitted on March 4, 1994, by the Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin, the Sokaogon Chippewa Community of Wisconsin and the Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin. The Tribes had applied for a trust land acquisition of the 55.82 acre parcel of land and for a two part Secretarial determination pursuant to Section 20(b)(1)(A) of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA), 25 U.S.C. Section 2719(b)(1)(A). The purpose of the Tribes’ action was to augment parimutuel dog racing already operating at the site as the St. Croix Meadows Greyhound Park with other Class III gaming activities.

The approval reverses a July 14, 1995, decision by the Deputy Assistant Secretary-Indian Affairs not to exercise the Bureau’s authority to take the land into trust because the administrative record at the time failed to support a finding of no detriment to the surrounding community, a final determination for the Department of the Interior. In September 1995, the Tribes filed suit in U.S. District Court of the Western District of Wisconsin in Sokaogon Chippewa Community, et al., v. Babbitt, et al., Case No. 95-C-659-C (W.D. Wis.) to reverse the Department’s determination. In the Settlement Agreement dated October 8, 1999, the Assistant Secretary-Indian Affairs agreed to resume consideration of the Tribes’ application based on the administrative record already developed and as supplemented only in the manner specified in the Agreement. The decision to approve the application was based on the administrative record and additional information provided by the Tribes including a more thorough environmental assessment of the proposed facility and projected benefits, income, and employment, as well as projected impact on neighboring tribes and surrounding communities. In addition, the City of Hudson, Wisconsin, whose Common Council had passed a resolution opposing the casino in 1995, has since clarified its position as one of being in favor of the project.

McDivitt sent a letter to Wisconsin Governor Scott McCallum today announcing his decision. Governor McCallum must concur with the two-part Secretarial determination if the Interior Department is to complete the trust application process for the Hudson property pursuant to the requirements of 25 CFR Part 151.

-BIA-

https://www.bia.gov/as-ia/opa/online-press-release/doi-approves-land-trust-application-hudson-casino

Indian Affairs - Office of Public Affairs

One tribe’s 22-year journey through the Bureau of Indian Affairs’ (BIA) process for federal recognition ended this afternoon when Assistant Secretary – Indian Affairs Kevin Gover signed the final determination in favor of federal acknowledgement for the Chinook Indian Tribe/Chinook Nation of Washington State in a ceremony at the Department of the Interior’s main building in Washington, D.C. “Today, we have the opportunity to address directly a historical injustice lasting many years,” said Assistant Secretary Gover, “The Chinook rejoin the family of Tribal Nations acknowledged by the United States.”

Present at the signing were Chinook Chairman Gary Johnson and a delegation of tribal council representatives and tribal members. “This is a great day for the Chinook people,” said Chairman Johnson, “We are grateful to everyone who supported our recognition. Throw out the books that say the Chinook do not exist.” Deputy Assistant Secretary – Indian Affairs Michael J. Anderson and BIA Deputy Commissioner M. Sharon Blackwell also signed the final determination, which was Assistant Secretary Gover’s last official act on his final day with the Interior Department.

The Chinook Indian Tribe/Chinook Nation is located in western Washington State with significant portions of the approximately 2,000-member tribal population having lived along the shores of Willapa Bay and the Columbia River 25 to 45 miles to the south and southeast of Bay Center. The tribe first treatied with the United States in 1851. Despite suffering through decades of neglect by the federal government, tribal members maintained tribal and cultural traditions. In 1979, the tribe notified the BIA of its intent to submit a petition for federal recognition to the agency’s Branch of Federal Acknowledgement and Research (BAR). Assistant Secretary Gover made his final determination based on documentary and interview evidence, which in 1997 formed the basis for a proposed finding not to acknowledge the Chinook Indian Tribe/Chinook Nation, and an analysis of information and comments received in response to the proposed finding from third parties and the tribe itself. He reached additional factual conclusions after conducting a review and analysis of the existing record in light of the additional evidence. A review of the 1997 proposed finding and information submitted by the Chinook Indian Tribe/Chinook Nation and third parties established that the tribe had met all seven mandatory criteria from first contact to the present under 1978 regulations on recognition. The Assistant Secretary also concluded the Chinook Indian Tribe/Chinook Nation had been acknowledged by Congress in 1925, thus meeting 1994 regulations requiring that a petitioner demonstrate historical continuity for the period commencing from the time of previous acknowledgement to the present. The Chinook Indian Tribe/Chinook Nation was therefore determined to have met the criteria under both the 1978 and 1994 regulations.

The final determination, which reverses the proposed finding, becomes effective 90 days after being published in the Federal Register. The full text of Assistant Secretary Gover’s remarks can be accessed via the BIA’s web site at http://www.doi.gov/bureau-indian-affairs.html.

-BIA-

For Immediate Release: January 3, 2001

Assistant Secretary Gover, Chinook Chairman Gary Johnson, Deputy Assistant Secretary – Indian Affairs Michael Anderson, and BIA Deputy Commissioner M. Sharon Blackwell each signed the final determination for federal recognition of the Chinook Indian Tribe/Chinook Nation. Also present were Congressman Brian Baird (WA-3rd) and tribal council members. Standing Left to Right: Congressman Baird; DAS-IA Anderson; Council members Peggy Disney, Richard Basch (behind Disney), and Penny Harris; Chinook Chief Clifford

https://www.bia.gov/as-ia/opa/online-press-release/bia-issues-final-determination-recognition-chinook-indian

Indian Affairs - Office of Public Affairs

What?	To discuss Indian Trust Management Reform regulations: • Probate of Indian Estates (25 CFR 15, 43 CFR 4) • Tribal Probate Codes (25 CFR 18) (New) • Life Estates and Future Interests (25 CFR 179) • Land Records and Title Documents (25 CFR 150) • Conveyances of Trust and Restricted Land, Removal of Trust or Restricted Status (25 CFR 152)
When?	Wednesday, March 29, 2006 (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.)
Where?	Doubletree Hotel, Lloyd Center 1000 NE Multnomah Street Portland, OR 97232

A block of sleeping rooms will be reserved for persons attending the consultation. Call the hotel at (800) 996-0510 to make a reservation.

https://www.bia.gov/as-ia/opa/online-press-release/indian-trust-management-reform-draft-regulations

Indian Affairs - Office of Public Affairs

WHITERIVER, Ariz. – The Bureau of Indian Affairs Task Force located on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation in Arizona today announced the arrest of a suspect in a series of sexual attacks that have occurred there. Jimi Aday, 29, an enrolled member of the White Mountain Apache Tribe, has been charged with 18 U.S.C. 1153, Offenses Committed in Indian Country, 18 U.S.C. 1201(a)(2) Kidnapping, and two counts of 18 U.S.C. 2244(a) (1) Aggravated Sexual contact. Aday will be transported to Flagstaff, Ariz., for his initial arraignment.

“We are extremely pleased with our law enforcement officers and the cooperation of the tribal community and the Department of Justice to apprehend the suspect who is now in custody,” said BIA Director W. Patrick Ragsdale. “Today’s arrest has come as a result of their hard work and dedication. The Task Force is still operational, however, because we are not convinced the investigation is complete.”

-DOI-

https://www.bia.gov/as-ia/opa/online-press-release/arrest-made-bia-task-force-fort-apache-reservation-case

Indian Affairs - Office of Public Affairs

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell will join National Park Service Director Jonathan B. Jarvis this week in representing the United States at the 2014 International Union for Conservation of Nature’s 2014 World Parks Congress, a global forum on protected areas held once every decade.

Jewell will address the Congress at 6:20 p.m. EST on Wednesday, Nov. 12, focusing on the need for international cooperation on issues affecting parks and other protected areas, especially the growing threat of climate change. The remarks will be live streamed here. Please note that the plenary session begins at 5:50pm EST; Jewell’s remarks are expected to begin around 6:20 p.m. EST.

Jewell will also participate in the Congress’ World Leaders’ Dialogue on Thursday, November 13 at 1:30am ET to discuss how parks can help build a more resilient future. The dialogue will also be live streamed here.

The Congress is expected to convene over 4,000 participants from approximately 160 countries to discuss approaches for conservation and sustainable development.

While in Sydney, Jewell will hold a number of bilateral meetings with officials from the Australian government, including Minister for Foreign Affairs Julie Bishop, Minister for the Environment Greg Hunt and Minister for Indigenous Affairs Nigel Scullion. Jewell will also meet with John Scanlon, Secretary-General for the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species.

# # #

https://www.bia.gov/as-ia/opa/online-press-release/secretary-jewell-address-world-parks-congress-australia-will

Funding Assessment and Methodology Input for Tribal Colleges and Universities Consultation

Dates: May 06, 2021 9:30pm to 9:30pm

Indian Affairs is hosting a consultation regarding a strategy to provide funding to Tribal Colleges and Universities for facility needs. The presentation is hosted via a teleconference.

Indian Affairs Approves Colville Confederated Tribes’ Leasing Regs Under the HEARTH Act

For Immediate Release:

May 06, 2021

Tribal nation joins growing list of those authorized to govern and manage leasing of their trust lands without prior Secretarial approval.

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Indian Affairs Announces Distribution Plan for $850 Million Designated for BIE-funded Schools Under the American Rescue Plan Act

For Immediate Release:

April 23, 2021

Funds will provide COVID-19 relief for education in BIE- and tribally operated K-12 schools and TCUs.

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Assistant Secretary Sweeney Announces BIA Proposal to Streamline Its Indian Probate Processes

For Immediate Release:

January 08, 2021

WASHINGTON – Assistant Secretary – Indian Affairs Tara Katuk Sweeney today announced proposed changes to regulations put in place in 2008 that govern the probating of trust and restricted property belonging to individual American Indians and Alaska Natives. The proposed changes would streamline Department of the Interior’s current process.

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Dear Tribal Leader Letter: Indian Business Incubators Program Proposed Rule Consultation

Dates: April 13, 2021 7:00pm to 7:00pm

Dear Tribal Leader:

I am pleased to invite you to comment on a new proposed regulation to implement the recently enacted Native American Business Incubators Program Act. The Indian Business Incubators Program (IBIP), also known as the Native American Business Incubators Program, is a program in which IEED provides competitive grants to eligible applicants to establish and operate business incubators that serve Tribal reservation communities.

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OPA

U.S. Department of the Interior TRIBAL CONSULTATION MEETING

Speech will be live streamed, Wednesday around 6:20 p.m. EST

Funding Assessment and Methodology Input for Tribal Colleges and Universities Consultation

Indian Affairs Approves Colville Confederated Tribes’ Leasing Regs Under the HEARTH Act

Indian Affairs Announces Distribution Plan for $850 Million Designated for BIE-funded Schools Under the American Rescue Plan Act

Assistant Secretary Sweeney Announces BIA Proposal to Streamline Its Indian Probate Processes

Dear Tribal Leader Letter: Indian Business Incubators Program Proposed Rule Consultation