Commissioner of Indian Affairs Louis R. Bruce 'announced today J ' the creation of a new BIA agency in New Mexico for the Ramah-Navajo Indians. It will be called the Ramah-Navajo Agency. Located in the west central part of the State, the new Agency will be under the jurisdiction of the BIA area office in Albuquerque.
Donald Smouse, Program Officer for the Ramah office will be the Acting Superintendent of the Agency until a permanent Superintendent is appointed.
The Ramah-Navajo band of Navajos was previously under the Zuni agency but was excluded when the Zunis assumed control of their own Agency ini1970. The new Agency will be located in Ramah, New Mexico 87321.
Commenting on the creation of the new Agency, Commissioner Bruce said, "This Agency represents a major step forward for the Ramah-Navajo people. It will permit them to better plan and program for the development of their community with the full cooperation of a Bureau line officer on site rather than in Albuquerque."
