WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Department of the Interior (DOI) is continuing its schedule of presentations to employees of the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and the Office of the Special Trustee for American Indians (OST) on the reorganization of both agencies. Next week, employees of the Alaska Region will be briefed on June 10, 2003, in Juneau and June 12 in Anchorage. Midwest Region employees will be briefed on June 11 in Fort Snelling, Minn. The Department is seeking to increase accountability and efficiency in its trust management functions by reorganizing the agencies that manage Indian trust funds and assets. Presentations are taking place this month at the Bureau’s 12 regional offices and other locations around the nation.
The Alaska and Midwest Region employees will be briefed on the Department’s plan for reorganization of the BIA and OST, and on the Comprehensive Trust Management Plan (CTMP) at morning sessions on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. The CTMP describes how the new BIA and OST organizational structures will improve the delivery of trust services when the reorganization is completed. Tribal leaders from each region will also be briefed on the reorganization effort in subsequent sessions.
In 2002, the Department and the Tribes together undertook an ambitious effort to change the way the BIA and OST deliver trust and non-trust services to Tribes, tribal service populations and trust beneficiaries. The Plan is based on agreements reached with the Joint Tribal Leaders/DOI Task Force established by Secretary Gale Norton to examine and recommend proposals for improving service delivery to recipients and beneficiaries.
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WHO: |
U.S. Department of the Interior |
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WHAT: |
Departmental presentations on the reorganization of the BIA and OST to Alaska and Midwest Region Federal employees. |
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WHEN: |
Alaska Region:
Tuesday, June 10, 2003 (all start times are local time): Juneau, Alaska 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Presentation of BIA/OST reorganization 10:00 a.m.
DOI officials’ availability for press interviews and photo ops Alaska Region
Thursday, June 12, 2003 (all start times are local time): Anchorage, Alaska 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Presentation of BIA/OST reorganization 10:00 a.m.
DOI officials’ availability for press interviews and photo ops Midwest Region:
Wednesday, June 11, 2003 (all start times are local time) Fort Snelling, Minn. 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Presentation of BIA/OST reorganization 10:00 a.m.
DOI officials’ availability for press interviews and photo ops
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WHERE: |
Alaska Region – Juneau (June 10)
BIA Alaska Regional Office, Federal Bldg., 3rd Floor Conference Room,
709 West 9th Street,
Juneau, Alaska, (907) 586-7177
Alaska Region – Anchorage (June 12)
BIA West/Central Alaska Field Office, DOI-U,
Conference Room-Lower Level,
1689 C Street,
Anchorage, Alaska
Midwest Region – Fort Snelling, Minn. (June 11)
BIA Midwest Regional Office,
Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building, 1 Federal Drive, Room G110,
Fort Snelling, Minn., (612) 713-4400
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CREDENTIALS: Press registration will be provided. Please bring your sanctioned media credentials and if possible, wear on your shirt collar or around your neck for easy viewing. This will assist our staff. Press seating will be provided.
