OPA

Commissioner of Indian Affairs Morris Thompson today announced the award of a contract amounting to nearly $1.33 million to construct a Bureau of Indian Affairs elementary school at Casa Blanca, Arizona, on the Gila River Indian reservation. The school will serve young Pima Indians.

Successful bidder is J. R. Youngdale Construction, Inc., San Diego, California.

"About four years ago it became obvious that this new facility was essential if the young people on the Gila River Reservation were to get education that would measure up to that of other American citizens," Thompson said.

A planning committee made up of members of the Gila River Indian Community members, education specialists from the State of Arizona and other States, and Bureau of Indian Affairs personnel was formed to consider the various educational needs that might be served by the school.

A program was developed and incorporated into where the unique characteristics of the Pima people, who have continued the tradition of the ancient Hohokam --irrigated farming, industry, peacefulness, and artistic excellence, especially in basket making. Provisions for language work was included.

"The planners hope that the school will become the center of community life in Casa Blanca and that it will reflect not only the heritage of the Pima people but their aspirations as well," Thompson said.

The new unit will include four classroom buildings, instructional material center, combination building housing kitchen-dining facilities, and a multi-purpose area. When completed, the project will accommodate students in kindergarten through the eighth grade.

Commissioner of Indian Affairs Morris Thompson today announced a streamlined system for the use or distribution of judgments made to American Indian tribes and groups by the Indian Claims Commission or the United States Court of Claims.

In implementing a 180-day time schedule in accord with the Act of October 19, 1973, new Regulations published in the Federal Register January 15, 1974 include these provisions:

1. The earliest possible completion of research to identify the ultimate or present-day beneficiaries of judgments.
2. The affected Indian tribe or group is to hold a preliminary meeting of the tribal governing body, or a public meeting if it chooses, to develop a proposal for the use or distribution of its judgment funds. The Area Director or Superintendents will assist in meeting arrangements and make technical assistance available to the Indian people.
3. A public hearing of record will be held to receive testimony on the tribal proposal for the use or distribution of claims funds.

Within 180 days of the appropriation of judgment funds – or in the case of awards for which covering funds were appropriated before passage of the 1973 Act, within 180 days from the Act's passage -- the Secretary of the Interior will submit the final proposed distribution plan to the chairmen of the Senate and House Interior Committees and to the tribal governing body.

Thompson pointed out that the distribution plan becomes effective on the 60th day from its submission to the Committees unless either the Senate or the House of Representatives disapproves by resolution.

Disapproval of a plan will require the submission of proposed legislation for the use or distribution of judgment funds after further consultation with the affected Indian tribe or group.

Publication of the new Regulations follows public hearing in Denver on December 13, 1973. In addition to testimony given at that time, numerous oral and written comments and suggestions were given consideration by the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Department of the Interior.

The Reflector City portion of the Badlands Air Force Gunnery Range, South Dakota --some 5,280 acres of land --is now available for sale to its former owners, mostly Oglala Sioux Indians, Morris Thompson, Commissioner of Indian Affairs, said today.

The lands have been declared excess to the needs of the Air Force and administrative jurisdiction has been transferred to the Department of the Interior. Notice was published in the Federal Register of January 3.

Thompson said that any eligible former owner -- either Indian or non-Indian -- who wishes to purchase an available parcel within the 5,280-acre tract must file an application with the Superintendent of Pine Ridge Agency, Bureau of Indian Affairs, South Dakota by January 31, 1975, or by law such right will automatically terminate.

The Oglala Sioux Tribal lands within the gunnery range were leased by the Federal government and the other lands within the range were purchased by the Federal government from individual owners, mostly Indians.

Commissioner of Indian Affairs Morris Thompson on February 8, 1974 issued the following statement in connection with Feb, 7’s tribal election at the Oglala Sioux Reservation, Pine Ridge, South Dakota:

Following yesterday's election in which the uncertified results indicate that Richard Wilson won by a plurality of about 200 votes over Russell Means, a number of allegations of "massive election fraud" have been made, and the Department of the Interior has been asked by Wounded Knee Legal Defense/Offense Committee to send a large investigation team to the reservation.

Based on our present information, there does not appear to be sufficient evidence of voting fraud or irregularities to warrant Federal intervention at this time. The Federal Government intends, however, closely to monitor developments in this situation and if any such evidence is developed giving validity to these charges, we will see that a complete and proper investigation is made.

This election was exclusively a tribal election, supervised by a tribal election board. It was the function of this board, under the tribal ordinance, to conduct the election and certify its results. The tribal ordinance also provides for the filing of complaints concerning election irregularities and fraud with this board. The board is empowered to rule on those pro tests and, if warranted, recommend the calling of a new election. In addition, each candidate had a poll watcher at each of the 22 voting precincts.

Prior to the election the Bureau of Indian Affairs was requested to provide for observers at the polls. The Community Relations Service of the Justice Department sent two of its officials to Pine Ridge with the knowledge of the Department of the Interior to look into the arrangements for the election. During the election, two lawyers from the Civil Rights Division of the Justice Department were at Pine Ridge to receive any complaints of election irregularities, and their presence was known to both candidates and their supporters.

Historic strides have been taken in Federal Indian policy in the last five years.

Federal funding has doubled, with great emphasis on education, training, and self-determination. Indian tribes and groups now set their own priorities on how funds are to be programmed. Land taken from the Taos Pueblo, Yakima and other people has been returned. The policy of termination is a thing of the past. Trust status has been restored to the Menominee. Alaska native claims settlement has been achieved. Our continuing commitment looks forward to the enactment of legislation which would speed Indian economic development and upgrade the position of Commissioner of Indian Affairs to Assistant Secretary level at the Department of the Interior.

Since 1969, Federal outlays in Indian programs have soared from approximately 8/10 billion dollars annually to some $1.6 billion requested for Fiscal Year 1975.

In addition to Interior, other Departments and Agencies participating in this worthwhile and far-reaching effort include Health, Education and Welfare - whose representatives are with us today --Commerce, Labor, Housing and Urban Development, Department of Transportation, Small Business Administration, tile National Council on Indian Opportunity, and others over the years.

Strong currents of self-determination continue to run through the Bureau of Indian Affairs budget requested for Fiscal Year 1975.

The budget request of the Bureau of Indian Affairs includes $869,083,000 in budget authority. Within this sum are permanent funds and trust funds of the Indians themselves, Federal Highway Act contract authority, and other items not subject to appropriations.

The total request in annual appropriations is $634,682,000 the largest single item of which is $219.0 million for education. The request for social services and housing is $76.6 million, and for law enforcement on the reservations, $8.8 million. Other significant items are $57.6 million for development of tribal resources; $10.9 million for aid to tribal government; $63 million for general management and facilities operations; $51.9 million for general construction, and $70 million for Alaska native claims. Protection of Indian natural resources rights and real estate and financial trust services is proposed at $17.9 million.

In exercising their rights of self-determination, American Indian tribes and groups may assume administrative responsibility for a service program – in the past it was administered by a responsibility for a service program – or a portion of a program – which in the past was administered by a Federal agency. Additionally, the right of retrocession remains. If an Indian community government elects to administer a Federal program and later chooses to return to Federal direct services, it may do so.

The contracting provisions of this budget become a positive force in reducing the role of the Federal government in reservation Indian affairs and placing that responsibility in the hands of the Indian groups themselves.

In reference to contracting, President Nixon in his State of the Union Message of January 30, 1974, said:

"...I shall ask that the Bureau of Indian Affairs make specific plans to accelerate the transfer of significant portions of its programs to Indian tribal management, although I repeat my assurances that, while accelerated, these transfers will not be forced on Indian tribes not willing to accept them."

The pace of Indian contracting to perform their own services previously performed by the government has shown remarkable acceleration since 1969 -- from under $8 million per year in 1969 to more than $63 million in the last complete Fiscal Year, that of 1973. I refer, for example, to contracting for schools and adult education programs, for road construction, maintenance and similar services. There are indications that Indian contracting will great] exceed that figure in Fiscal Year 1974.

While Indian participation in contracting increases, it must be emphasized that no service will be lost or lessened to the tribe or group that elects to continue with BIA services.

All of these currents of self-determination find their genesis in the Presidential Indian Message of July 8, 1970.

The principles enunciated then by President Nixon find ready support in the councils of Commissioner Morris Thompson with Indian leaders. As the Indian governments make their own decisions to increase contracting for the delivery of Federal services, the numbers of employees at Bureau centers are to be reduced commensurately.

Another major action which this Administration has taken to further self-determination is to allow Indian leaders to set priorities locally. The FY 1975 budget of the Bureau of Indian Affairs reflects Indian involvement and participation in the budget planning decisions of the Bureau. We have honored the priorities of the Indians in developing the budget and we are committed to distributing the funds at the local level based upon these same priorities.

While much has been accomplished, much remains to be done.

The Administration has before the Congress no fewer than seven bills which would alleviate problems facing the Indians, and greatly enhance their economic capabilities. All of these measures have been before Congress for three years – that is much too long. The time for action is now.

One bill, mentioned earlier, would eliminate the post of Commissioner of Indian Affairs and provide for a new Interior Assistant Secretary who would have Indians as his sole concern, and report directly to the Secretary. While both houses have passed it, the Senate has attached an amendment to create a 13th Alaska region under the new Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act and a deadlock has developed.

The Indian Financing Act stands a better change to give the Indians a better chance. This administration proposal would provide that:

1. Existing revolving loan funds would be consolidated, and $50 million in new funds added.
2. A new program would guarantee private loans made to Indians for up to 90 percent, and
3. A new grant program would enable the Secretary of the Interior to provide up to $50, 000 to small Indian businesses which could not otherwise get a start.

The bill passed the Senate last July, but it is still awaiting House action.

Three more Administration bills cover self-determination and education proposals.

There is the assumption of control bill whereby Indians can take over their Federal programs on demand. This is the very cornerstone of self-determination.

There is the Civil Service benefits bill, whereby Federal employees who go to work for tribes which elect to administer their own programs retain their benefits.

And there are Johnson-O'Malley amendments so that the BIA may contract directly with tribes (instead of only with State and local governments, as of now) for carrying out educational programs.

Progress has been slow. But we have our hopes. All three are combined and somewhat altered in S. 1017 which has been ordered reported by the Senate Interior Committee. The House is apparently awaiting Senate action before moving further.

A sixth Administration proposal would create an independent trust counsel authority. Such an independent trust counsel would have but a single client - the American Indian. We believe this is desirable to eliminate the conflict of interests when Indian claims and other facets of the public interest are in conflict. There have been hearings in both bodies. But no action.

A seventh proposal is of fundamental concern to reservation Indians. It would enhance self-determination by giving tribes increased control over trespassing livestock, and the licensing of traders on reservations. Only the House has held a hearing.

Although we are frustrated with the pace of congressional deliberation, there has been some fine work done.

With Administration support, in December the reservation status of the Menominee Tribe of Wisconsin has been restored – concrete evidence of the President’s reflection of the policy of forced termination.

Congress in October passed a new Indian Judgment Distribution Act by having the Secretary submit to Congress for approval plans for distributing Indian judgments (e.g. Awards of Indian Claims Commission.) This should shorten appreciably the time for getting money into Indian hands.

Commissioner of Indian Affairs Morris Thompson today announced that he has appointed Ignatius L. Billy, 57, a Pomo Indian of Hopland, California, to be Personnel Director of the Bureau of Indian Affairs in Washington, D.C.

"Billy comes to his post with a wealth of experience in all fields of personnel administration," Thompson pointed out. "He demonstrates the development of expert capabilities by American Indians in many professional fields."

Graduated from high school at Hopland Junior College at Riverside, California, Billy received the AB degree in political science from the University of California at Berkeley.

He has held specialist positions in every field of personnel administration in the Veterans Administration and the Department of the Interior. Billy has served in staff specialist positions as well as in personnel officer positions. In 1963 he was appointed a senior Employee Management Relations Specialist in the Office of the Director of Personnel of Interior. Since 1969 he has been the senior Labor Relations Officer in Interior.

Billy served in the United States Army in this country and in the Western Pacific Theater from 1942 to 1946. His service began as a private and ended as Captain, Medical Administrative Corps.

The new Bureau of Indian Affairs Director of Personnel and his wife, Maude, reside at 6223 19th Street, N., Arlington, Virginia. Their four children, Glen, Madeline, David and Susan are at other places in this country and abroad.

Commissioner of Indian Affairs Morris Thompson today urged those American Indians who can qualify as members of the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin -no matter where they may be living today --to participate in the election of a nine member Menominee Restoration Committee March 2, 1974.

"About 3, 000 Menominee Indians are believed to be living in Wisconsin," Thompson pointed out. "Another 3,000 are believed to be living elsewhere. We hope that all Menominee will help to restore their tribal government - terminated in 1961 - by participating in this election," he said.

Voting will take place between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. March 2 at four polling places within Menominee County: In Neopit, Keshena, South Branch, and Zoar, all Wisconsin. Qualified voters unable to vote in person may vote by absentee ballot. A request for tins ballot must be made to Area Director Raymond P. Lightfoot, Bureau of Indian Affairs, U. S. Department of the Interior, 831 Second Avenue South, Minneapolis, Minn. 55402, telephone a/c 612 725-2904.

All absentee ballots must be received in the office of the Area Director no later than February 27.

To participate in the election of the Menominee Restoration Committee one must be: A person listed on the final roll of the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin, or an enrollee's descendant who on March 2, 1974 will be at least 18 years old and who possesses at least one-quarter degree Menominee blood.

Until a tribal governing body is regularly elected as provided for under the law, the Menominee Restoration Committee will officially represent the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin in those matters relating to the restoration of Federal services to the tribe and its members as provided by the law. Its immediate duties will include tile drafting of a tribal constitution and by-laws and updating the tribal membership roll.

At the time termination was considered for the Menominees, they had more than $10 million in trust and realized an annual profit from their lumber business. In less than seven years after termination, the tribe was on the verge of bankruptcy. The Menominee Reservation Act was signed into law by President Nixon December 22, 1973.

David Makity, president, and Elliott Pamp, vice president, Battle Creek Huron Band of Potawatomi Indians, met with Commissioner of Indian Affairs Morris Thompson in Washington, D.C. last week to discuss Federal recognition of their tribe.

“The group is interested in expanded service for school age and older members in the areas of health, education, and social service benefits,” Thompson indicated.

It has an enrollment of 268 and a State reservation of 120 acres. Approximately 40 of the 268 enrollees live on the 120 acres, the other members are scattered in nearby communities.

The Commissioner of Indian Affairs, in his discussion with the Indians, pointed out that the procedure for Federal recognition was lengthy and would involve the State of Michigan, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Department of the Interior and its Solicitor, and probably ultimately, the Congress.

Criteria for recognition includes (1) a statement from the Band, with a majority of its members backing the move; (2) an enumeration of possible BIA services that would apply to the enrollees; (3) number of the Band eligible for services, which would involve establishing a blood quantum for enrollment and other efforts.

BIA services to consider, Thompson told the group in Washington, D.C., are education, welfare assistance, on-the-job training, housing, road maintenance, etc. “It is not likely that a group as small as yours with a 120-acre land base could use all BIA assistance,” Thompson said.

Commissioner of Indian Affairs Morris Thompson today announced that a $3 million contract has been let to Nielson's, Inc. of Dolores, Colo. for construction of nearly 15.5 miles of bituminous paved highway beginning near Whitehorse, N. Mex., and extending north and east to, Pueblo Pintado, N. Mex.

This project is one of the last of a number of similar ones that will lead to improved transportation across the eastern part of the Navajo Reservation to State Road 44 at Cuba, N. Mex.,” Thompson said. “Roads are the lifeline of commerce, provide access to schools, bring about a viable society. So we are happy to announce that a dirt road that has too long served Indian people and visitors over Indian land will be replaced by an all-weather highway.”

He pointed out that projects such as this will help Indian reservations catch up with the rest of the country. No local roads were built on Indian reservations from 1900 to 1935, he pointed out, at a time when the rest of the country was being knit together through a paved roads system.

Chairman Peter H. Masten, Jr., Hoopa Valley Tribe of Northwestern, California, today announced that his American Indian group will introduce Congressmen, government officials, leaders of national Indian groups and the press of Washington, D. C. to Hoopa tribal cultural and contemporary life Wednesday, March 13 at the National Press Club ballroom from 6-8 p.m.

“We believe it is time that the nation be made aware that the Hoopa Valley Tribe is a distinct cultural, geographic, and political entity,” Masten explained. “My tribe will demonstrate that it is with Hoopa traditional dances in full regalia - some of which is a century old - displays of distinctive Hoopa basket weaving, wood carving, fish net weaving, and a stick athletic game, and a buffet of traditional foods."

Displays, including a colored slide presentation, will also indicate something of modern community life of the northwest California Indian tribe. Photographs will show the progressiveness of the Hoopa health clinic, utility system, and housing complexes.

The Hoopa Valley Tribe has lived in the same location since before the memory of man, Masten said. Scientific tests prove that fire burned in the pits of Hoopa aboriginal homes over 5,000 years ago.

“This gives our group a rich heritage, but one of which the mainstream of America has been unaware. We hope to change that Wednesday evening.”

The name “Hoopa” means, literally, “Where all the trails meet,” said Masten. The valley was created by the Trinity River, the focus of reservation life. It will soon be dotted with dogwood blooms. Some of the other features that will be brought to the attention of non-Hoopas March 13 will be Xonta Nikya (Big Church) and Taikow Nikyao (Big Sweat House) – each a part of traditional Hoopa life.

A number of young Hoopa women at the occasion will wear traditional attire – which includes colorful skirts and ropes of shells around the neck, reminiscent of Polynesia. Men will dance in traditional costumes that will include headdresses that have bright red feather adornment made from countless woodpecker heads.

A buffet of Native foods will include fresh and smoked salmon, acorn soup, and venison. Other food and refreshments will also be served.