Second Tribal Consultation on Draft Indian Affairs Administrative Organizational Assessment Report and BIA & BIE Streamlining Plans

SCOTTSDALE, ARIZ. — The second government-to-government tribal consultation regarding the Indian Affairs Administrative Organizational Assessment Draft Report and Bureau of Indian

Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education streamlining plans starts Thursday, April 19, 2012 at the Radisson Fort McDowell Resort Hotel in Fountain Hills, Ariz. The two-day consultation is the second of seven that will take place around the country in Arizona, Florida, Washington, South Dakota, Oklahoma, California and Alaska. The first was held in Miami on April 12 and 13, 2012.

Tribal leaders have said that organizational changes are needed in the administration of Indian

Affairs programs and services to better meet the needs of the federally recognized tribes throughout Indian Country. The Department of the Interior’s Indian Affairs officials have heeded these concerns and undertaken an extensive review of the organization of the Office of the Assistant Secretary-Indian Affairs, the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE).

The culmination of this review is a draft Administrative Organizational Assessment Report compiled by an independent, third-party contractor. The draft report identifies several ways to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the delivery of services to Indian Country. The goal is to support a consolidated organization while improving Interior responsiveness to all Tribal needs. The BIA and BIE are seeking tribal input on ways to streamline their respective organizations to meet budgetary constraints and to increase efficiency.

More information and materials can be found at: http://www.bia.gov/WhoWeAre/AS-IA/Consultation/index.htm

WHO: Paul Tsosie, Chief of Staff to the Assistant Secretary-Indian Affairs, DOI Keith Moore, Director, BIE, DOI Mike Smith, Deputy Bureau Director-Field Operations, BIA, DOI Tribal Leaders from the Navajo, Western and Southwest Regions and other regions -Continued-

Page 2 – Assessment WHAT: Second Regional Tribal Consultation on the Indian Affairs Administrative Organizational Assessment Draft Report and BIA & BIE Streamlining Plan. WHEN: Thursday, April 19, and Friday, April 20, 2012 Registration will begin at 7:00AM (MST) Consultation will begin at 8:00AM (MST) WHERE: Radisson Fort McDowell Resort Hotel 10438 N. Fort McDowell Road Scottsdale/Fountain Hills, AZ 85264 (480) 789-5300