A change in Bureau of Indian Affairs regulations which will make more American Indians in the 18-35 age bracket eligible to receive vocational training with Government financial assistance was announced today by Secretary of the Interior Stewart L. Udall.
Under the former rules, only Indians living on trust or restricted land under jurisdiction of the Bureau of Indian Affairs were eligible for such training.
The new regulation broadens this in two ways. First, it extends the benefits of the vocational training program to all Indians residing within the exterior boundaries of a reservation under jurisdiction of the Bureau regardless of the title status of the lands on which they live. Secondly, it provides that vocational training may be furnished to Indians living near reservations if denial of the services would haves direct effect on Bureau programs within the reservation boundaries.
This latter provision is intended to cover situations where Indians living near reservations are in urgent need of vocational training to improve their economic status and, if denied the service, would return to the reservation to be eligible for Bureau help.
The amended regulation is being published in the Federal Register and will go into effect 30 days after publication.
Since the start of the Indian Bureau's adult vocational training program four years ago 1,978 Indians have completed courses in State and private vocational schools under its auspices. An ·additiona1 783 Indians are currently enrolled in such Courses.
