OPA

Six real estate employees from four field offices of the Bureau of Indian Affairs have been authorized to attend special courses in appraisal techniques at the University of Southern California starting August 6, Commissioner Glenn L. Emmons announced today.

The courses are given in two sessions, from August 6 through August 18, and from August 20 through September 1.

Walter B. Woodcock of the area office at Billings, Mont., and W.W. Murray of the Phoenix, Ariz., office will attend both sessions. L.O. Ogden and R.H. Solter of Portland, Oreg., and R, L. Hopkins of Phoenix will be enrolled for the first session only. Walter Wood of Sacramento, Calif., will attend only the second session.

In making the announcement Commissioner Emmons emphasized the Bureau's responsibilities for proper appraisal of Indian lands and the need for training its employees in the most up-to-date appraisal techniques.

A major reorganization of the central office of the Bureau of Indian Affairs in Washington, D. C., was announced today by Commissioner Glenn L. Emmons.

One part of the move involves the reassignment of Carl W, Beck, Assistant to the Commissioner, who has had general supervision over the Bureau's voluntary relocation program and the work of stimulating industrial development around the reservations since last summer. Because of the rapidly growing importance of both of these programs, Commissioner Emmons explained, Mr. Beck will now devote full time to the industrial development activity.

The other phase of the reorganization involves the creation of a new Division of Tribal Programs and Relocation Services under the supervision of Assistant Commissioner Thomas M. Reid.

In the move the Bureau's Branch of Relocation is being renamed the Branch of Relocation Services and its headquarters staff is being transferred from Denver, Colo., to Washington, D. C. The new division will also include a Branch of Tribal Programs which will take over the functions connected with tribal government and related matters and will need up the work of developing, cooperatively with the tribal groups, programs aimed at improving the Indians' economic and social status.

Charles F. Miller will continue in direct charge of the relocation work. Homer B. Jenkins, who has been acting chief of the Bureau’s program coordinating staff, will be chief of the Branch of Tribal Programs.

The newly created division is the fourth major organizational unit in the Bureau's Washington office. The other three are the Division of Resources under Assistant Commissioner E. J. Utz, the Division of Community Services under Assistant Commissioner Selene Gifford, and the Division of Administration under Acting Assistant Commissioner F.H. Massey.

Hale Secakuku, 63, Second Mesa, Ariz., a Hopi Indian, was given the first “Indian Small Businessman of the Year” award May 18 in the auditorium of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Washington, D.C.

The citation on the plaque given Mr. Secakuku read “For exemplifying the imagination, initiative, independence, and integrity by which the American small businessman makes a vital contribution to the Nation, the economy, and the free enterprise system.”

The award was made by Hal Cox, an Associate Commissioner of the Bureau of Indian Affairs on behalf of Commissioner of Indian Affairs Louis R. Bruce. Also on the auditorium platform and commenting on the honor were Senator Paul J. Fannin, Ariz., and Irving Schwartz, Assistant to the Administrator of the Small business administration. The award was a part of the Small Business Administration’s small Business week activities.

In making the award Cox pointed out that Secakuku’s first business was a grocery store started stop the second Mesa of the Hopi Reservation in 1934. When a new highway was completed at the foot of Second Mesa his business complex, consisting of a grocery store, general merchandise and curio shop, café, and gas station, was constructed in 1958. This was the first supermarket on the reservation. Mrs. Secakuku operates the first score, Mr. Secakuku the newer.

"Mr. Secakuku has, for 35 years, been a source of inspiration and leadership of his peopIe." Cox said “He has been a member of the Hopi Tribal Council since 1951. His new center is a focal point for Second Mesa and enhance the economy and social life of the community.” The business serves about 1,500 residents in the three villages of Second Mesa and surrounding areas and visitors to the reservation. It employs 11 workers, he said.

“The Secakuku business has been a source of credit for Hopi Indians and a meeting place for the Hopi people,’ Cox said. Secakuku’s curio shop buys and sells handmade Indian craft work, performing a service both to the Indian and the consumer.

Runner-up for the “Indian Small Businessman of the Year” was Fleming D, Begaye, Sr., a Navajo, Chinle, Ariz. Third place went to Ray C. Goetting, Caddo, Laguna, N. Max.

Honorable mentions for the award went to: Ray C. Goetting, Caddo, Laguna, N. Mex.; John Tucker, Seminole, Hollywood, Fla.; Jose Antonio Gutierrez, Santa Clara/Pojoaque, N. Mex.; Robert Gombi, Kiowa/Delaware, Norman, Okla.; Raymond D. Christianson, Eskimo, Bethel, Alaska; George Wippet, Jr., Blackfeet, Browning, Mont.; Oswald Bussell, Hoopa, Willow Creek, Calif.; Shirely M. and Warren C. LaDue, Chippewa, Waubun, Min.; Elmer Olne, Yakima, White Swan, Wash.

Certificates to these outstanding Indian small businessmen are being sent to the Area Offices of the Bureau of Indian Affairs for local presentation.

President Chino, Vice Presidents, and friends. I am especially happy to be here at the 25th Anniversary Convention of the National Congress of American Indians.

In the past I have joined you around the table as one of the charter members of the National Congress of American Indians. Our efforts then were to develop a forceful voice for the American Indians and to work to improve the legal, economic, and social conditions of our people. Today, I come as your Commissioner of Indian Affairs. The intensive efforts which you need to make and which I need to pursue are more pressing now than at any time in our history.

I have accepted the challenge of being the Commissioner of Indian Affairs fully realizing the tremendous task which I have undertaken. As Commissioner I want to get Indians fully involved in the decisions affecting their lives; then to get the Bureau of Indian Affairs to be totally responsive to Indian needs; and to develop a climate of understanding throughout the United States which will permit the full development of Indian people and their communities without the threat of termination. All of these tasks are of equal importance and must be pursued with diligence and at once.

I want to underscore, at this point, that I accepted the appointment of Commissioner, with the commitment and understanding that this administration was not going to become a termination administration and that I would have the fullest high-level cooperation in my efforts to reorganize the Bureau of Indian Affairs. I have been given these assurances.

Secretary Hickel strongly emphasized this in his speech last night, and Assistant Secretary Loesch has stated publicly on several occasions that this is not a termination administration.

Indians have had a unique relationship with the Federal Government since its inception. The core of this relationship has been the trust status of Indian lands. Because of the existence of the "Trust Land Status", Indian tribes have continued to exist and provided some degree of continuity for their culture and some identity for their members.

I, like you, hold this trust sacred, not just because I am an Indian who has invested much time and effort to protect it, but also because I believe sound government policy dictates this view as derived from the Federal treaties, public laws, and court opinions.

We propose to undertake an extensive study of the Federal trust relationship to make it a more flexible instrument for Indian development while fully protecting Indian resources. I will invite Indian people, as well as other experts in Indian law; corporation law; and property law, to assist us in defining the best way to obtain this flexibility. This means a new role for the agency will become necessary to serve you.

Beginning with the Indian Citizenship Act of 1924, services available to all other citizens, in some measure, began to apply to Indians. Particularly since 1934, the landmark legislation enacted by the Congress, which resulted in the many new social and economic development programs to assist the disadvantaged, have been of benefit to Indian citizens. They have derived benefit from these programs, not so much on the basis of their being Indians, but more on the basis of their being citizens in need, who by most standards qualify for such programs.

In the 1970 fiscal year, it is estimated that the combined expenditures of all Federal agencies assisting Indian people will be approximately $500 million dollars. At least one-half of these monies will come from agencies outside the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

The dramatic increase in kinds and levels of services from the Federal Government has had an extensive impact upon the lives of Indian people as well as the Bureau of Indian Affairs and has contributed to more meaningful and comfortable lives for thousands of Indians.

Yet as far as I can determine to date, the organizational structure and personnel deficiencies of the Bureau of Indian Affairs have prevented it from helping Indians organize to get optimum Indian utilization of this new array of programs and services.

The Department of Interior and the Bureau of Indian Affairs will seek to serve as a spearhead for developing other agency programs for Indians. It is our intent to stimulate, facilitate, and support the direct involvement and planning between the Indian people and other agencies and departments.

What I have in mind, is the development of a strong intergovernmental relations unit in the Washington office of BIA. This office will take the initiative and work with other agencies and departments, to insure that old as well as new programs, are designed to meet Indian needs. This unit also will work with Regional and State offices, and local tribal groups to assure that Indians are
getting their fair share of these programs.

This means the Bureau staff must work aggressively at the local level with tribal groups, State agencies, and Federal and regional counterparts to develop and assist in implementing a viable plan for the development of Indian communities and people. If Bureau funds are minimal and the community needs are maximum, our staff will be expected to search out additional program monies from other public or private sources.

What I am emphasizing is the fact that a primary role for the Bureau staff will be to improve the conditions of American Indian people by utilizing resources from the public as well as private sectors.

Under our administration, the thrust of the Bureau will be to advocate and create improved conditions of Indian life and to activate Indian involvement in all matters affecting their lives.

In order to do this, we must have a Bureau of Indian Affairs structure, from headquarters to the agency level, which will support and direct the development of this role.

I have taken the initial step by first attempting to pull my own team together. At this point, I have sent forward a number of names of persons who would join me in my efforts to restructure the Bureau. Among the names are a number of persons whom you know and respect as Indians and who have a long history of fighting for our Indian rights. I would welcome any suggestion you have about appointments at all levels within the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

I have had an opportunity to talk extensively with many of you here at this convention, and you have given me many good ideas about how to undertake a plan of restructuring. I shall certainly follow your good advice and counsel.

I can pledge to you, that we will do everything in our power to make the Bureau a more flexible organization which will be responsive to Indian needs.

In restructuring the Bureau of Indian Affairs, I should not like to commit myself to any particular method of operation we will be using an internal working group on the immediate matter of redirecting Bureau functions and staff roles. On the broader issues of policy affecting Indian people, I shall call together Indian persons and Indian groups as well as other persons to look at specific issues which need new direction and new definition. Areas like education from pre-school throughout adulthood; tribal governments; the basic rights of Indian people and legal services, the development of economically viable Indian communities; the identification of methods to make the broad range of community services available to Indian people; ways to enhance the development and creation of community institutions, and Indian control of such institutions; improved use of heirship lands, and a true look at Indian heritage, accomplishments, and contributions.

One of my special interests is Indian youth. They are the largest and fastest growing segment of our Indian population, and our greatest asset for the future of Indian people. Over the years, we have made great strides in education and training but we have also ignored many of the pressing problems that come about as our communities change. For example, many of our young people are growing up without homes or communities. We need to look at this and find ways for them to feel more secure in their development and environment. We will be looking towards new and different alternatives of education not only for the very young, but also on the secondary post-graduate, and graduate levels. To help in these plans, I am forming a special youth advisory committee responsible to my office. As we form our other committees, advisory groups, and task forces, young people will be asked to serve as an important part of these.

We will be asking a number of young Indian people to work with us in bringing insights and understanding to their problems.

No one person can hope to achieve the many things I have talked to you about. It will require negotiations and building of relationships and commitments to Indian people and their future and by we the Indian people for our future. In a sense, an Indian Commissioner is a tightrope walker, he must look clearly at the goal of improving the conditions of Indian people, the trust relationship and protecting and developing the natural resources and water rights of our people. To do all this, the Indian Commissioner must operate as a part of the governmental process bouncing on the tightrope, and yet, keeping his feet firm, his eye sharp, and maintaining the cooperation and support of this entire process and the Indian people.

You are my biggest asset in this job. I intend to maintain and continue open dialogue with Indian interest organizations, like NCAI, as well as Indian tribes and individual Indian people, so that on the difficult issues, I will have Indian understanding and support.

We invite you to join us as full partners in discussing, planning, and implementing programs and services to improve all the facets of Indian life.

President Nixon has pledged that "progress through participation on the part of the Indians is now the basis of this administration's efforts to make progress in every area of Indian affairs." Secretary Hickel also has underscored this pledge and I am determined that my performance as your Commissioner will warrant your confidence, patience, and support in achieving a program which will be beneficial to all of us.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs, Department of the Interior, announced today a new edition of a new addition of its popular, “American Indian Calendar" is available for purchase from the Superintendent of Documents in Washington, D.C.

The calendar lists important Indian events primarily in the 25 states where there are Indians having a service relationship with the Federal Government. The booklet has information on pow-wows, rodeos, dances, religious observances, and arts and crafts exhibitions.

Typical entries include Alaskan native dances at Shakes Island, Wrangell, Alaska, May throughout the summer; Ute Mountain Bear Dance and all Indian pow-wow at Towaoc, Colo., in June; All-Choctaw Indian Fair at Philadelphia, Miss., July 22-25; the Custer Battle Reenactment at Crow Agency, Mont., July 10-12; the great Navajo Fair at Shiprock, N.M., in late September and early October; and the White Mountain Apache Tribal Fair and Rodeo, including the famous Crown Dances, the weekend before Labor Day at Whiteriver, Ariz.

In announcing the booklet, the Bureau noted that many Indian observances depend upon seasonal activities and cannot be pinned down in advance to exact days. Tribal medicine men choose the day when portents seem best to them. It is suggested that tourists cheek in advance with tribes, local Bureau offices and chambers of commerce for specific dates.

Commissioner of Indian Affairs Louis R. Bruce pointed out that many Indian reservations have excellent fishing, hunting, hiking and sightseeing areas.

"Indian country is often less crowded than national park and similar facilities,” he said, at the time cautioning that Indian lands sometimes don’t have modern facilities and vacationers who don’t have full camping equipment should plan to stay in towns outside the reservations unless they arrange ahead for accommodations.

“Visitors are welcomed by most Indian people,” he said. “Each reservation has its own rules and they should be observed. The use of liquor is forbidden on many reservations, and the taking of pictures should be checked with local authorities.”

Pictures may not be taken of certain religious ceremonies, and it is advisable to ask permission before taking pictures of individuals.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs “American Indian Calendar” is priced at 25 cents and may be obtained by writing for Number I20.2:C12/2/1970, the superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402.

"Graphic Arts of the Alaskan Eskimo," a new profusely illustrated 88-page publication, is now being offered for sale by the Government, the Department of the Interior announced today.

Illustrated with nearly 100 reproductions of graphic works of art by Alaskan Eskimos, the publication depicts such unusual items as engravings on ivory and watercolor drawings on skin and paper, as well as woodcuts, etchings, lithographs,and engravings.

An accompanying interpretive text is by anthropologist Dorothy Jean Ray.

The new publication has been compiled by the Indian Arts and Crafts Board, an advisory agency headed by five Commissioners appointed by the Secretary of the Interior. It contains a foreword by Vincent Price, the actor and art expert who currently serves as chairman of the Indian Arts
and Crafts Board.

We are particularly enthusiastic about the work in media by young Alaskan Eskimo artists of today who are extending this important graphic tradition of the North into the competitive and expansive concepts of our contemporary world," Chairman Price said.

The publication is the second in a series titled "Native American Arts" published by the Indian Arts and Crafts Board. Priced at $1 per copy, it is available from the Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office, Washington, D. C. 20402. Orders should specify the catalog number, I1.84/4:2.

A total of $383 million was invested during fiscal 1969 in Indian developmental projects ranging from home repair to transistor plants, Louis R. Bruce, Commissioner of Indian affairs announced today. The amount invested was $58.5 million above the 1968 figure.

The money came from three sources: tribal funds, customary lenders, and a Federal revolving credit fund, from which loans are made if no other source is available.

Investment varied from a tribal loan of a few hundred dollars to an Indian applicant who needed new shingles for his roof, and an agreement between an Indian and the small Business Administration to open a new service station. Some of the largest loans were to those tribes that financed the construction of factory faculties on the reservation that would give employment to Indian residents.

The increase of investment funds available to Indian people last year has "real significance," Bruce said, “Economic development of Indian communities has been handicapped by lack of adequate and dependable sources of financing. This is a most welcome step forward, and one that must be increased manyfold before basic needs are met.”

The amount of money coming from customary lenders was up 22 percent over 1968, according to Bruce, who said the increase represents greater confidence in benefits to be derived from a loan.

Customary lenders include state and national banks, Federal land banks, savings and loan associations, finance and loan companies, insurance companies, production credit associations, Federal credit agencies and individuals. In other words, customary lenders are the same lender non-Indians use.

The largest increase in 1969 among customary lenders was in financing by Federal Credit agencies, particularly the Economic Development Administration, the Farmers Home Administration, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the small business administration, and the Office of Economic Opportunity.

Tribal funds being used for financing economic development of tribes and their members almost doubled during the past five years, from $52.7 million to $105.1 million. Some tribes are able to use their own funds to finance tribal industrial, commercial and agricultural enterprises. Others, with moon limited funds available, use their funds to supplement revolving funds borrowed from the United States.

Funds made available for loans through the Bureau administered revolving fund have never been adequate, Bruce said.

With appropriations of $21.5 million, the revolving feature has permitted total loans of $66.7 million to be made. Several bills are pending in the 91st Congress which would, if enacted and funded, help to relive the situation.

Since copies of the “Annual Credit and Financing Report, 1969,” are available from the Bureau of Indian Affairs, U.S. Department of Interior, Washington, D.C. 20242.

Secretary of the Interior Walter J. Hickel announced today that the first meeting of the Pyramid Lake Task Force will be held October 16 at Reno. The Task Force includes representatives of the Department of the Interior and the States of California and Nevada.

The Task Force will study water allocations in the Truckee-Carson Basin and develop a plan intended to satisfy various water demands in the area.

Governor Ronald Reagan of California has named as his representatives Hubert Bruns, Chairman, Alpine County Board of Supervisors and Chairman of the California-Nevada Interstate Compact Commission; and Robert G. Eiland, Assistant Director, California State Department of Water Resources.

Governor Paul Laxalt of Nevada. has appointed Roland Westergard, State of Nevada. Engineer; James Vidovich, Chairman of the Pyramid Lake Tribal Council; Robert Leighton, Director, Water and Lands, Sierra Pacific Power Company; Jim Wood, Manager, Truckee-Carson Irrigation District; Fred Settelmyer, Upper Carson River Water Users; Frank Groves, Fish and Game Commission; and Eileen Brookman, past member of the Nevada Indian Affairs Commission.

Secretary Hickel has assigned Charles Renda, Regional Solicitor of the Department, Sacramento, Calif; Frank E. Sylvester, Regional Director of the Bureau of Outdoor Recreation, San Francisco; George Hedden, Assistant Area Director, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Phoenix, Ariz.; and Robert J. Pafford, Jr., Regional Director, Bureau of Reclamation, Sacramento.

Studies and recommendations of the Task Force will be reviewed by a Washington Committee headed by Harrison Loesch, Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Public Land Management. Other members are G. G, Stamm, Assistant Commissioner for Planning and Irrigation, Bureau of Reclamation; and Raymond C. Coulter, Deputy Solicitor, Department of the Interior. Assistant Secretary Loesch will attend the Reno meeting.

Secretary of the Interior Fred A. Seaton today disapproved a proposed 25-year oil and gas development contract negotiated between the Navajo Indian Tribe and the Delhi-Taylor Oil Corporation of Dallas, Texas.

One of his objections was based upon the questionable legality of the proposal. The contract would have embraced 5,300,000 acres, about one-third of the Navajo Reservation which includes land in three States.

The Secretary said the proposed contract is in effect a lease agreement and that the Department's Solicitor has questioned the authority for such an arrangement under existing law. The law precludes the leasing of any Indian reservation lands for oil and gas development, without advertising for competitive bids.

Another consideration in arriving at his decision, Secretary Seaton said, was the fact that 12 other oil companies in addition to Delhi-Taylor have been conducting geophysical work on the Navajo Reservation during the last year, and that several have indicated their desire to enter into leases on a competitive basis. Negotiations on the rejected proposal were reported to have been conducted only with the Delhi-Taylor Oil Corp.

Secretary Seaton said he was informed that the benefits received by the Navajos under competitive leasing should outweigh the uncertain benefits which they might receive under an agreement of the type proposed. He explained the Navajo Tribe has received in the last five years, more than $15 million in bonus and rental payments under- present competitive leasing procedures, and that they are receiving annually more than $1 million from rentals alone,

Transfer of more than 10,000 acres of land and about 30 buildings at the Southwestern Sheep Breeding Laboratory, Fort Wingate, N. Mex., from the Department of the Interior to the Department of Agriculture was announced today by Secretary of the Interior Fred A. Seaton.

The realty transaction is the final step in a transfer of administrative responsibilities which took place nearly three years ago. On August 1, 1953, actual operation of the Sheep Breeding laboratory, originally established in1935 by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, was taken over by the Department of Agriculture's Bureau of Animal Industry. However, since the land and buildings could not be transferred pending a review and authorization by the General Services Administration, they were made available to the Bureau of Animal Industry at that time merely through a revocable permit.

Authorization for actual transfer of the land and buildings to the Department of Agriculture was recently given oy the Denver, Colorado, regional office of the General Services Administration.