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

RAPID CITY, S.D. — The fourth 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, May 3, 2012 at the Holiday Inn Rapid City – Rushmore Plaza, S.D. The two-day consultation is the fourth of seven that will take place around the country in Arizona, Florida, Washington, 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: Kallie Hanley, Senior Advisor, Office of the Assistant Secretary-Indian Affairs, DOI

Mike Smith, Deputy Bureau Director-Field Operations, BIA, DOI

Keith Moore, Director, BIE, DOI

Tribal Leaders from the Great Plains, Rocky Mountain, Midwest Region and other regions

WHAT: Fourth Regional Tribal Consultation on the Indian Affairs Administrative Organizational Assessment Draft Report and BIA & BIE Streamlining Plans. WHEN: Thursday, May 3, and Friday, May 4, 2012

Registration will begin at 7:00AM (MST)

Consultation will begin at 8:00AM (MST) WHERE: Holiday Inn Rapid City – Rushmore Plaza

505 North 5th Street

Rapid City, SD 57701Fourth Tribal Consultation on Draft Indian Affairs Administrative Organizational Assessment Report and BIA & BIE Streamlining Plans