A number of outstanding events in the field of Indian Affairs occurred in the 1963 fiscal year as the Bureau of Indian Affairs continued its emphasis of greater development of human and natural resources on Indian reservations in line with policies recommended by the 1961 Task Force on Indian Affairs, the Department of the Interior reported today.
Fiscal 1963 was a period of welcome employment for 4,418 previously jobless Indians who obtained wage work on projects initiated under the Accelerated Public Works Program on nearly 100 reservations in 18 States. Besides providing employment for a significant number of some of the Nation's neediest citizens, these projects have made important contributions to reservation life through road improvements, upgraded timber stands, the construction of community centers, and the prevention of soil erosion. A number are, in addition, promoting greater economic development on many reservations by expanding the relatively untapped, but extremely valuable, tourism potential of the reservations.
Early in the year 10 young Indians and Eskimos from Alaska completed an l8-month course in electronics training, made available under the auspices of the Bureau of Indian Affairs to equip them for skilled employment in their native state, and were received at the White House by the late President Kennedy. These trainees, who received their instruction in New York City, were the first in what may be a long line of Indians and Eskimos from Alaska to take intensive courses in electronics instruction in preparation for jobs at defense and communications installations in their State. Training is financed by the Bureau of Indian Affairs and by the Department of the Air Force, which contemplates employment of the trainees after completion of the courses. Subsequent groups of Alaskan natives will be trained in Los Angeles.
