WASHINGTON, DC – The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) published in the Federal Register on Jan. 29 a notice with the updated listing of all federally recognized tribes in the United States, as required by law. The list is maintained, updated and published by the BIA’s Office of Indian Services, Division of Tribal Government Services. The list was last published on May 6, 2013.
“The Bureau of Indian Affairs notice in the Federal Register of Indian entities recognized and eligible to receive services from the BIA is the official listing of all federally recognized tribes in the United States,” Assistant Secretary – Indian Affairs Kevin K. Washburn said. “The publication of this list is vital to the United States for its government-to-government relationship with the federally recognized tribes, to Indian Affairs and other agencies who work with them, and to inform the general public of who they are. The BIA works diligently with all of the listed tribal entities to ensure each name is accurate and complies with the tribes’ governing documents.”
The list comprises 566 American Indian and Alaska Native tribal entities – nations, tribes, bands, communities, Pueblos, and villages – that are acknowledged to have:
- The immunities and privileges available to federally recognized tribes by virtue of their government-to-government relationship with the United States,
- The responsibilities, powers, limitations and obligations of such tribes, and
- Are recognized and eligible for funding and services from the BIA by virtue of their status as Indian tribes.
The tribal entities list is organized in two sections: those in the 48 contiguous states and those in Alaska. Alaska Native tribal entities are listed separately solely for the purpose of facilitating their identification given the large number of complex names. All of the entities are listed in alphabetical order within each section.
To aid in identifying name changes and corrections, an entity’s previously listed or former name is shown in parenthesis after its correct current name. Changes to this list are included after the BIA has verified such changes with the Indian entity.
The notice is published pursuant to Section 104 of the Act of Nov. 2, 1994 (Pub. L. 103-454, 108 Stat. 4791, 4792), and in exercise of authority delegated to the Assistant Secretary – Indian Affairs under 25 U.S.C. 2 and 9 and 209 DM 8.
The Assistant Secretary – Indian Affairs oversees the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Office of Indian Services, Division of Tribal Government Services which maintains and updates the list of federally recognized tribes and publishes the list in the Federal Register.
