WASHINGTON, D.C. – Bureau of Indian Affairs Director Michael S. Black today announced that he has named Amy L. Dutschke as Regional Director of the BIA’s Pacific Regional Office in Sacramento, Calif. Dutschke, an enrolled member of the Ione Band of Miwok Indians in California, had been serving as the Office’s Deputy Regional Director for Trust Services since June of 2000. The Pacific Regional Office oversees four agencies serving 103 federally recognized tribes located within the state of California. Her appointment became effective on October 10, 2010.
“Amy Dutschke’s extensive experience in federal budget, administration and program management, combined with her strong background in federal-tribal relations, makes her a solid addition to my regional management team,” Black said.
“I want to thank BIA Director Mike Black and Assistant Secretary-Indian Affairs Larry Echo Hawk for their confidence in giving me this opportunity,” Dutschke said. “I am looking forward to working with them and with all of the tribes in the Pacific Region to improve the delivery of BIA services.”
As the Deputy Regional Director, Dutschke was responsible for the day-to-day management of the BIA’s trust programs including real estate services, natural resource management, water rights, range management, land titles and records, probate, fire management, forestry and endangered species. She also represented the Interior Department on the team for the San Luis Rey Water Settlement, an agreement between the federal government and five tribes resolving their water rights issues.
Prior to becoming the Deputy Regional Director, Dutschke had worked in the BIA’s Sacramento Area Office (now the Pacific Regional Office) and at its headquarters in Washington, D.C.
From February 1996 to May 1999 she served as the Area Self-Determination Officer and was the lead negotiator for tribal self-governance compacts region-wide.
In May 1998, Dutschke began a stint as Deputy to the Director of the BIA’s Office of Management and Administration in D.C. As the Deputy Director she was responsible for developing policy and guidance for BIA managers on administrative matters. Following the completion of her assignment, Dutschke returned to the Sacramento Area Office, where she was promoted in May 1999 to Area Administrative Officer.
As the Area Administrative Officer she served as the principal advisor to the Area Director on administrative matters, and was responsible for the oversight and supervision of budgets, contracts, property, finance, records and safety. Her duties included meeting with tribes annually to develop budget requirements for submission to the Assistant Secretary-Indian Affairs.
Dutschke began her federal career with the BIA in December 1975 and served in a variety of positions within the Sacramento Area Office including Tribal Operations Clerk, Tribal Operations Specialist and Self-Determination Specialist.
In June 1985, Dutschke was appointed as the Tribal Operations Officer with the Bureau’s Northern California Agency in Redding. In March 1989, she was named the Agency’s permanent Administrative Officer, a position she held until April 1991. In addition to her budget, personnel, procurement and other administrative responsibilities, Dutschke also served as the person responsible for coordinating activities involved with preparing the settlement roll required by the Hoopa-Yurok Settlement Act of 1988 (P.L. 100-580).
From July to December 1990, she also served as the Acting Assistant Area Director for Administration in the Sacramento Area Office, where she was responsible for the day-to-day management of the office’s administrative functions, including oversight of contracts, budgets, property, records, information resources management, self-determination and finance.
In April 1991, Dutschke was named the Sacramento Area Office’s Assistant Area Director for Administration, where, in addition to her other duties and responsibilities, she was an advisor to the Area Director on policy formulation and program development. She held the Assistant Area Director post until February 1996.
Dutschke has received numerous awards and recognition throughout her career including recognition from the California State office of the Bureau of Land Management and the Bureau of Reclamation for her role in the development of a consolidated human resources office.
She also has been recognized for her work in the development and support of the California Indian Forest and Fire Management Council, which serves in an advisory capacity to the Pacific Regional Office on forestry- and fire-related matters.
In addition, Dutschke was instrumental in the development of the California Trust Reform Consortium and the California Fee to Trust Consortium, which are models of the BIA and tribes working cooperatively to identify issues and develop processes to accomplish mutual goals.
