Past News Items

WASHINGTON, D.C.

A plan for the distribution of more than $260,000 awarded by the Indian Claims Commission to the Ottawa Indians of Oklahoma is being published in the Federal Register, Commissioner of Indian Affairs Morris Thompson announced today.

This award represents additional payment for six tracts of land in Northwestern Ohio that were ceded to the United States by four bands of Ottawa Indians under treaties of 1833 and 1831.

Agreement has been reached between the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the commissioners of Klamath County, Oregon, covering future maintenance and improvement work on the 764-mile road system of the Klamath Indian Reservation, Secretary of the Interior Douglas McKay announced today.

WASHINGTON – On May 15, 2013, at 9:30 a.m. Assistant Secretary – Indian Affairs Kevin K. Washburn will participate in a roundtable discussion with tribal, state and other federal government representatives to discuss the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA). The discussion will help lead to a greater understanding of ICWA’s purpose and implementation. This discussion is part of the Great Plains ICWA summit: Bring Our Children Home and Keep Our Families Strong that will take place May 15-17, 2013, at the Best Western Ramkota Hotel and Convention Center in Rapid City, S.D.

Secretary of the Interior Cecil D. Andrus and Chairman of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Wayne Ducheneaux jointly announced today that the Department of the Interior has agreed to adopt environmental regulations enacted by the tribe to govern mineral development and oil and gas leasing activities on tribal and allotted land within the tribe's reservation in South Dakota.

Secretary of the Interior Rogers C. B. Morton announced today his approval of organizational changes in the Bureau of Indian Affairs that have 'been developed since Secretary Morton himself took the first step last July 23rd in naming John O. Crow to the re-activated position of Deputy Commissioner.

"The organization plan is one designed to tighten administrative management of the Bureau's operations in order to get the most mileage from the Federal dollars being spent for Indian programs," the Secretary said.

WASHINGTON – Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Indian Affairs Larry Echo Hawk today announced that he has named Kevin J. Martin, an enrolled member of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation in Oklahoma, as Director of the Indian Affairs Office of Budget Management (OBM). The Director, who reports to the Chief Financial Officer for Indian Affairs, is responsible for all aspects of the Indian Affairs budget process including planning, formulation, presentation, justification and execution. His appointment became effective September 26, 2010.

Secretary of the Interior Rogers C. B. Morton today issued a policy statement concerning Indian cultural and religious use of migratory bird feathers and parts. Following is the text of the statement.

Secretary of the Interior Rogers C. B. Morton and Civil Service Commission Chairman Robert E. Hampton announced today the creation of a National Indian Training Center to be located at Brigham City, Utah.

The Center will provide in-service and preparatory training for Indian men and women seeking employment and advancement in Federal, State and tribal government jobs.

Secretary Morton made the announcement while visiting Salt Lake City today on a leg of his month-long tour of Western States. He said:

WASHINGTON – The Secretarial Commission on Indian Trust Administration and Reform will hold its next public meeting Feb. 12-13, 2013, Seattle, Wash. The meeting will be preceded by a public youth-outreach session the evening of Feb. 11.

“The Department of the Interior has a very important role to play in administering the federal trust responsibility, and the Commission is looking forward to discussing with the public how we can work together on ways to improve the Department’s management of Indian trust lands and assets,” said Commission Chair Fawn Sharp.