OPA

Thomas W. Fredericks, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Interior Department for Indian Affairs, today announced that the Bureau of Indian Affairs' Office of Indian Education Programs has signed an interagency agreement with the U.S. Department of Education. The purpose of the agreement is

1) to increase communications between the Bureau's Education Office and the Education Department, and

2) to procure specific Education Department services for education and vocational programs serving Indians, funded through the Bureau of Indian Affairs

"This is one of the first joint agreements between the Bureau of Indian Affairs' Education Office and the Office of Indian Education", Fredericks said. I am happy to see this interagency expression of intent to involve Indians specifically where Indians have not been involved before."

To date, education programs that serve Indians have not taken advantage of Education Department services, delivered by the National Diffusion. Network (NDN), that reward exemplary education programs across the country.

The interagency memorandum of agreement establishes goals tha.t will encourage schools serving Indians to apply for NDN services. The agencies have agreed to identify Indian education programs with potential for receiving NDN services, and then to assist them in making a strong application for assistance.

The agreement also proposes to establish a formal relationship between agencies, and outlines the objectives for that relationship.

The Education Department officials signing the agreement along with Fredericks, were Dr. Gerald Gipp, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Indian Education; Dr. Percy Bates, Director, Office of Special Education; Dr. Howard F. Hjelm, " Director, Division of Research and Demonstration for Vocational and Dr. Lee Wickline, Director, of Educational Replication for the National Diffusion Network. For further information contact Lavonna Weller, Education Specialist, Bureau of Indian Affairs, U.S. Department of the Interior, 18th and E Streets N.W Washington, D. c. 20240 (202/343-7387).

Regulations governing the preparation of three separate rolls of Delaware Indians eligible to share in the distribution of $4 million in Indian Claim Commission awards were published December 17, 1980 in the Federal Register, Commissioner of Indian Affairs William Hallett announced today.

The regulations which will become effective on January 16, 1981, implement legislation, enacted August 1, 1980, requiring the Secretary of the Interior to prepare rolls of certain Delaware Indians eligible to share in the distribution of the judgment funds.

The three rolls to be prepared by the Bureau of Indian Affairs are: 1) a tribal membership roll of the Delaware Indians of Western Oklahoma; 2) a descendancy roll of Kansas and Idaho Delaware excluded from participating in an earlier award to the Delawares; and 3) a descendancy roll of Cherokee, Kansas and Idaho Delawares.

For further information about the regulations governing the Western Oklahoma roll contact Terry Bruner, Anadarko Agency, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Anadarko, Oklahoma 73005 (405/247-6673). Questions about the regulations governing the other two rolls should be directed to Thomas J. Ellison, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Federal Building, Muskogee, Oklahoma 74401 (918/887-2296).

Applications for enrollment must be filed within 60 days after the effective date of the regulations.

Interior Secretary Cecil D. Andrus announced today that amended interim regulations governing off-reservation treaty fishing rights by Michigan tribes in the waters of Lake Michigan, Superior, Huron and connecting waters have been extended until May 11, 1981·

Secretary Andrus took the action after signing a memorandum of understanding with the involved tribes setting forth tribal-federal regulatory responsibilities for the 1981 and 1982 fishing seasons. The newly executed memorandum is substantially similar to a current memorandum of understanding which expires January 1, 1981.

"I am pleased that the tribes and the Department have agreed to continue their efforts towards conserving the fishery resources of the Great Lakes by agreeing to this memorandum of understanding," Andrus said.

The interim regulations, issued in April 1980 and due to expire on January 1, 1981, amend Interior Department regulations first published in November 1979 after a Federal District Court ruled that under terms of an 1836 treaty the State of Michigan lacked authority to regulate treaty fishing rights. Today’s extension makes no other changes in the amended interim rule.

Secretary Andrus said extension of the amended interim rule would continue federal regulation during the winter months when fishing activity is substantially reduced and until final regulations can be prepared. "It does not increase the total allowable catches provided for in the amended interim rule," he added.

"I want to stress that this extension of the Michigan fishing regulations is intended to maintain the current situation applicable to the regulation of the treaty fishery before the fishing season begins in April 1981. During this period I anticipate the concerned parties will want to assess the situation and attempt to reach a mutually acceptable solution. I hope that definitive action concerning Interior's regulation of the treaty fishery for the 1981 season can be taken by April 1981," the Secretary added.

The tribes participating in the memorandum of understanding and subject to the Departmental fishing regulations include the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, the Bay Mills Indian Community and the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians.

The Department of the Interior today announced the resignation of Ross Swimmer, Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs. Last November he tendered his resignation to then President Reagan and in a recent letter to Secretary Don Hodel made it official as of January 29.

"I believe we have moved the agenda forward for a real change in Indian country," he wrote Hodel. "Certainly, there is a new awareness of what the problems are and the solutions to those problems. This is a convenient time for me to leave and rejoin my family in Tulsa, (Oklahoma)," he said.

Hodel recently awarded Swimmer the Department's highest citation and gold medal for his "invaluable counsel and leadership in support of this Nation's government-to-government relationship with Native Americans." In presenting the Outstanding Service Award, Hodel said: "His unswerving faith in the inherent abilities and talents of Native Americans has resulted in policies that provide Indians with the opportunity to truly control their own destinies." Hodel called special attention to Swimmer's initiatives to improve education and economic development on Indian lands, and his efforts to increase tribal control over federal funding provided to their governments. The citation also notes that Swimmer initiated a much-improved program for administering Indian trust funds that "will ensure the maximum return and flexibility to the trustees and provide the highest caliber of investment advice."

Swimmer, 45, a former principal chief of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, has been assistant secretary since December 5, 1985.

Earl Gjelde, acting secretary of the Interior, has named William P. Ragsdale, currently deputy to the assistant secretary (Operations), to serve as acting assistant secretary until a new assistant secretary has been nominated by President Bush and confirmed by the U.S. Senate.

WASHINGTON, DC -- Secretary of the Interior Manuel Lujan, Jr. announced today that Secretary of Education Lauro Cavazos will join him on a two-day, three-state tour of Indian schools this week. The unprecedented visit by two Cabinet members to schools administered by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) in California, Arizona and New Mexico "reflects the commitment to improved education for Native Americans that President Bush, Secretary Cavazos, and I share," said Lujan.

During the trip, Secretary Lujan and Secretary Cavazos will assess the opportunities and needs that face BIA schools. Through personal meetings with BIA officials, school administrators, teachers, parents, and children, the Cabinet members hope to identify qualities in successful programs that may be duplicated throughout the BIA educational system.

"Education is the most important priority for the future of Native Americans," said Secretary Lujan. "On the reservations, 'like in all communities, proper education is the best remedy for the problems we find in society."

"Strong schools will empower Native Americans to improve their lives and the lives of their children and grandchildren."

Officials at both the Department of the Interior and the Department of Education predict that the trip will mark the beginning of a new working relationship between Interior's Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Department of Education in the field of Indian education.

The trip will begin on Monday, March 27th and continue through Tuesday, the 28th. Lujan and Cavazos will visit the Sherman Indian High School in Riverside, California; the Salt River Day School in Scottsdale, Arizona; the Jemez Day School in Jemez Pueblos, New Mexico; the Santa Fe Indian School in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Secretary Lujan will continue on Tuesday evening with a visit to The Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe.

Prior to his appointment to the Cabinet, Secretary Lujan was a twenty-year member of Congress from New Mexico. Secretary Cavazos served as President of Texas Tech University before being tapped to lead the Education Department in 1988.

Washington, DC--Secretary of the Interior Manuel Lujan announced today that President Bush intends to nominate Frank A. Bracken as Under Secretary of the Interior Department. Currently Chairman of the Board of Directors of Ball-InCon Glass Packaging Corporation in Muncie, Indiana, Bracken will assume his post at Interior upon confirmation by the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.

"Frank Bracken is a top-notch business executive and an attorney with experience in government as well as the private sector," said Secretary Lujan. 11 1 am delighted that he has agreed to join my team at Interior."

Prior to chairing the board of the Ball-InCon Corporation, Frank Bracken was Group Vice President of Glass Containers for the Ball Corporation. He has served the company in other capacities as well, such as General and Associate General Counsel.

From 1969 to 1972, Bracken was Legislative Counsel at the U.S. Department of the Interior. He joined Interior following nine years of private law practice.

Mr. Bracken received his J.D. from the University of Michigan School of Law. He has been active on the boards of academic, corporate, and charitable organizations and was politically active in Indiana.

Washington, DC--Secretary of the Interior Manuel Lujan announced today that President Bush intends to nominate Martin L. Allday of Midland, Texas as the Department's Solicitor. Allday will assume his post at Interior upon confirmation by the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.

"Martin Allday is a veteran attorney, a strong executive, and a distinguished leader of his profession and his community," said Secretary Lujan. "I am delighted that he has accepted the challenge of serving the President and the American people as the Interior Department's Solicitor."

A prominent Texas attorney, Martin Allday has been associated with the Midland, Austin, and Dallas law firm of Lynch, Chappell, Allday and Alsup since 1959, serving as Managing Partner from 1971 to 1983. He is certified by the Board of the State Bar of Texas in Oil, Gas, and Mineral Law and is a past Chairman of the Oil, Gas, and Mineral Section of that body. Mr. Allday is a member of the Board of Directors and serves as Treasurer of the National Parks Foundation.

Mr. Allday is an active member of many professional, corporate, civic, and charitable organizations including: The Midland County (past President), Texas, and American Bar Associations as well as the Texas Bar Foundation (Fellow); the Midland Chamber of Commerce (past President) and the Permian Basin Petroleum Museum (Trustee); First City National Bank of Midland (Advisory Director) and North American Royalties, Inc. (Director) Midland Memorial Foundation (Board of Governors) and the High Sky Children's Ranch (Board of Governors).

Allday earned his Doctor of Jurisprudence at the Law School of the University of Texas (Austin) in 1951 and is a decorated veteran of World War II where he earned the Good Conduct Medal, the Purple Heart, and the Combat Infantryman's Badge.

Martin Allday and his wife, Patricia, are residents of Midland, Texas and have three children; Kathy Timberlake, Betsy Dashiell, and Martin L. Allday, III and four grandchildren.

Secretary of the Interior Manuel Lujan today announced that President Bush intends to nominate Eddie Frank Brown to be Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs. Brown will assume his post at Interior following hearings before the Senate Select Committee on Indian Affairs and confirmation by the full Senate. He will be responsible for Interior programs serving more than 1.4 million Indians and Alaska Natives in the United States.

"Eddie Brown has a broad background in intergovernmental relations with Native Americans," Lujan said. "This, combined with his extensive social service education and prior experience at the Bureau of Indian Affairs, makes Eddie a welcome addition to the Department of the Interior."

Brown recently left his position as Director of the Arizona Department of Economic Security after two years in that post. Previously he spent one year as an Associate Professor and Director of Community Affairs at Arizona State University. In 1985, he was a Division Chief for the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and prior to that he was Assistant Director of the Arizona Department of Economic Security.

Brown is a Tohono O'Odham/Yaqui Indian and a member of the Pascua Yaqui Tribe. He received his Bachelor of Social Science degree from Brigham Young University in 1970, and his Masters and Doctorate degrees in Social Work from the University of Utah in 1972 and 1975 respectively.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs' (BIA) primary responsibility is to encourage and support tribal efforts to govern themselves, and provide needed services and programs on reservations. The BIA is also responsible for managing more than 52 million acres of land held in trust by the United States for the Indians. The BIA also funds nearly 200 elementary and secondary schools, many of them operated by tribes under contract with the Bureau.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs has reached an agreement with Dr. Gerald Gipp, President of Haskell Indian Junior College which resolves the BIA inquiry into allegations against Dr. Gipp.

As deciding official in this matter, I have spent many hours over the past six weeks reviewing all the evidence and Dr. Gipp's written response concerning the charges that were raised against him. Many rumors and insinuations were noted in an earlier investigation and have continued to surround this matter. Only four charges, however, were cited against Dr. Gipp in the January 19, 1989, proposed notice of adverse action. These four charges and the issues raised by those charges have been thoroughly reviewed by me.

Of the four charges presented to me, the issues surrounding the special summer session in 1987 and the employment of Dr. Gipp's daughter caused me the greatest concern because of the potential for the appearance of impropriety or conflict of interest by the chief official of the school. In reaching my decision to finally settle this matter, I considered many factors, including Dr. Gipp's response to the charges against him. In his response, Dr. Gipp acknowledged that he could have done some things differently to avoid any possible appearance of favoritism. I agree. Based on my review of the record, however, there was not sufficient evidence for me to conclude that Dr. Gipp took any actions, or did not take any action, with bad faith or improper motivation.

In his response to the proposed notice, Dr. Gipp requested a reassignment to another position, after his reinstatement to Haskell Indian Junior College. It is Dr. Gipp's judgment that approval of this request will allow a new spirit of cooperation to develop at Haskell. I concur with this judgment.

Accordingly, Dr. Gipp is reinstated as President of Haskell Indian Junior College, effective May 29, 1989. Dr. Gipp will be reassigned, sometime within the next 30 days, to duties in the Washington office.

I concur with Dr. Gipp's concern that the focus at Haskell must be educating students. The BIA is committed to working with the administration, faculty, students and supporters of Haskell to achieve its primary mission. Now that this chapter is concluded, everyone can get on about that business.

Secretary of the Interior Manuel Lujan and Secretary of Agriculture Clayton Yeutter today directed federal officials to suppress all natural fires in national parks and wilderness areas until individual fire management plans for the areas are determined to be in compliance with new federal recommendations.

The directive was one of fifteen the two cabinet members adopted from the recommendations of the federal interagency Fire Management Policy Review Team. The team was established last year to analyze U. S. Department of the Interior and U.S Department of Agriculture fire management policies in national parks and wilderness areas.

The recommendations affect fire management policies of USDI's National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, Fish and Wildlife Service and Bureau of Indian Affairs, and USDA's Forest Service.

Lujan and Yeutter said many of the fifteen recommendations will require long-range planning and coordination for implementation, but that others will become effective immediately.

In addition to the recommendation to suppress for the interim all natural fires in national parks and wilderness areas, other directives to be adopted immediately include the following:

-- All wildland fires will be declared either prescribed fires or wildfires. All wildfires will be fought with appropriate suppression action.

(A prescription as it applies to a prescribed fire is a written statement of the limits under which a fire may burn in a specific geographic area. The limits include such criteria as weather conditions and fuel moisture. A prescribed fire is managed by qualified personnel in order to achieve specific resource management objectives. Prescribed fires may be started by management ignition or by natural ignition such as lightning. A wildfire is declared when a fire occurs in an area for which there is no prescription, or when a prescribed fire exceeds the prescribed conditions or geographic limits of the prescribed area.)

-- The responsible line officer will certify in writing daily that prescribed natural fires are within prescriptions, and that adequate resources are available to ensure that each prescribed fire will remain within prescribed boundaries and conditions throughout the next 24 hours, given reasonably foreseeable weather conditions and fire behavior. If these conditions cannot be met, the fire shall be declared a wildfire and suppressed.

Other review team recommendations include measures for improving interagency coordination, providing adequate staffing, training, research, equipment and funding, strengthening fire management plans, bringing those plans into compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act, and measures for increasing public involvement in policy decisions.

ln reviewing federal firefighting policies, the team gathered input from state and local officials, private citizens, academic experts, concessionaires and outfitters, environmental groups and business interests. Eleven public meetings were held across the country to solicit comments on the report. The public comments and the resulting findings were incorporated and submitted in a final report to the secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture.

Recommendations from the final report are attached.