Indian Affairs Providing Limited Services During the Federal Government Shutdown

WASHINGTON – The Department of the Interior – Office of the Assistant Secretary-Indian Affairs, Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), and Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) will provide limited services to tribes, students and individuals during the shutdown of the federal government. Of the total 8,143 employees, a total of 2,860 will be furloughed.

Bureau of Indian Affairs services that will continue functions that are necessary to protect life and property, including law enforcement and operations of detention centers; social services to protect children and adults; irrigation and power – delivery of water and power; firefighting and response to emergency situations.

Indian Affairs provides services directly or through contracts, grants, or compacts to a service population of more than 1.7 million American Indians and Alaska Natives who are enrolled members of 566 federally recognized tribes in the 48 contiguous United States and Alaska.

Funding for school operations is forward funded; therefore, Bureau of Indian Education activities will continue during the lapse in operations. All BIE funded schools, including Haskell Indian Nations University and Southwest Indian Polytechnic Institute, will remain open; BIE will maintain staff required to provide a safe and secure environment for students; transportation and maintenance of schools will continue; tribally-contracted school operations are forward funded and will remain open. The BIE provides education services to approximately 41,000 Indian students through 183 schools and dormitories and provides funding to 31 colleges, universities and post-secondary school.

Additional information on Indian Affairs’ contingency plan for operations during the government shutdown can be found at: http://www.doi.gov/shutdown.

The Assistant Secretary – Indian Affairs has responsibility for fulfilling the Interior Department’s trust responsibilities and promoting self-determination on behalf of the 566 federally recognized American Indian and Alaska Native tribal governments. The Assistant Secretary oversees the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education.