A second series of regional meetings with Indians to discuss implementation of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act will begin May 28, Commissioner of Indian Affairs Morris Thompson announced today.
Draft regulations for the Act, mailed to leaders of Indian tribes and organizations May 16, will be reviewed at these sessions, conducted jointly by the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Indian Health Service.
The first series of meetings was held in March prior to the drafting of regulations.
The Act sets the stage for major changes in the relationships of Indian tribes with the Federal Government by authorizing them to take over the directions and operation of Federal programs serving them.
The draft regulations include sections governing contracts with Indian groups, unique provisions concerning Federal employees and a new, broad purpose granting authority. The objective is to strengthen tribal capabilities and minimize Federal restrictions for Indian assumption of program responsibility.
The Act requires that the implementation process be completed not later than Nov. 4, 1975, with deadlines also set for major steps in the process -- consultation with Indians, submission of proposed rules to Congress and first publication in the Federal Register. Commissioner Thompson noted that the process was on schedule. He said, "Together with the Indian Health Service, with whom we are working very closely, we expect to meet all implementation deadlines established in the Act,"
At a workshop in Denver, May 12-16, for BIA and IHS officials who will be involved in the scheduled regional meetings, Emery Johnson, IHS Director, and Harley Frankel, BIA Deputy Commissioner, stressed the importance of Indian input in the development of the final regulations.
The regional meetings have been scheduled as follows: May 28-30, Washington, D.C., and Aberdeen, South Dakota; May 29-31, Norman, Oklahoma; June 2-3, Rhinelander, Wisconsin; June 2-4, Albuquerque, New Mexico, Billings, Montana, Washington, D.C. and Tahlequah, Oklahoma; June 3-4, Port Angeles, Washington; June 3-5, Sacramento, California; June 4-6, Phoenix, Arizona and Window Rock, Arizona (tentative); June 5-6, Minneapolis, Minnesota, and June 9-13, Anchorage, Alaska.
Further information about these meetings is available from BIA and IHS regional offices.
