OPA

WASHINGTON – Interior Assistant Deputy Secretary Abraham E. Haspel, Assistant Secretary – Indian Affairs David W. Anderson and Special Trustee for American Indians Ross O. Swimmer will join Thomas E. Mills of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) on May 14 in a dedication ceremony to officially open the new American Indian Records Repository in Lenexa, Kan. The repository is part of NARA’s underground regional records service facility in Lenexa. It will house the consolidated trust records of the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Office of the Special Trustee as part of the Interior Department’s effort to improve federal and tribal trust records management. Mills is the assistant archivist at NARA for regional records services. As such, he is responsible for managing the agency’s 19 regional facilities and collections totaling over 22 million cubic feet of records.

On September 12, 2003, Secretary Gale Norton and Archivist of the United States John W. Carlin signed a joint agreement creating a national repository for American Indian records at the Lenexa facility. The Memorandum of Understanding between DOI and NARA will ensure that the highest standards will be observed in the preservation and protection of American Indian records, including fiduciary trust records. The MOU also created an archival records management studies program at Haskell Indian Nations University to train and certify Indian students in archival and records management.

WHO: Abraham E. Haspel, Assistant Deputy Secretary, Department of the Interior David W. Anderson, Assistant Secretary – Indian Affairs, Department of the Interior Ross O. Swimmer, Special Trustee for American Indians, Department of the Interior Thomas E. Mills, Assistant Archivist for Regional Records Services, National Archives and Records Administration

WHAT: Haspel, Anderson, Swimmer and Mills will participate in a dedication ceremony to officially open the new American Indian Records Repository.

WHEN: Friday, May 14, 2004 starting at 3:00 p.m. (CDT)

WHERE: American Indian Records Repository, Meritex Enterprises, 17501 West 98th Street, Lenexa, Kan.

Directions from northbound I-435:

• From northbound I-435, take exit at 95th Street (exit #2).
• Take a right from the exit ramp onto 95th Street. Proceed on 95th Street through the traffic light at Renner Road (after crossing Renner, 95th Street becomes Prairie Star Parkway).
• Take first left after traffic light and follow road into the underground facility (there will be signs indicating “Meritex”).
• Once underground, take a left at stop sign, then a right at next stop sign.
• Follow this road until arriving at the NARA dock (pillar 31-55). There is a sign indicating the NARA dock.

Directions from southbound I-435:

• From southbound I-435, take exit at 95th Street (exit #2).
• Take a left at stop sign onto Renner Road.
• Take a right at first stoplight (95th Street/Prairie Star Parkway).
• Take first left after this and follow road into the underground facility (there will be signs indicating “Meritex”).
• Once underground, take a left at stop sign, then a right at next stop sign.
• Follow this road until arriving at the NARA dock (pillar 31-55). There is a sign indicating the NARA dock.

Note to Editors: Credentialed media covering the event should be in place by 2:45 p.m. Press seating will be provided. The program will begin at 3:00 p.m.

WASHINGTON – Assistant Secretary – Indian Affairs David W. Anderson will address the May 14 commencement ceremony for the 2003-2004 graduates of Haskell Indian Nations University, a Bureau of Indian Affairs operated post-secondary institution located in Lawrence, Kan. Anderson, himself the son of Haskell alumni, is very proud and honored to be with the students at this important event in their lives. For 120 years Haskell Indian Nations University has educated generations of Indian students from tribes around the country. It was originally established in 1884 as Haskell Institute, a boarding and vocational school for American Indian children and youth. During the 1980s, it was renamed Haskell Junior College and began offering associate degrees. In 1995, the school, now called Haskell Indian Nations University, was approved by the North Central Accreditation Association to offer its first baccalaureate degree. HINU now offers associate degrees in applied science, science and art, as well as baccalaureate degrees in elementary education, Indian studies, natural resources and environmental studies, and business administration.

WHO: David W. Anderson, Assistant Secretary – Indian Affairs, Department of the Interior

WHAT: Anderson will give the commencement address to the 2003-2004 graduating class of Haskell Indian Nations University.

WHEN: Friday, May 14, 2004 starting at 10:00 a.m. (CDT)

WHERE: Haskell Indian Nations University, Warner E. Coffin Sports Complex, 155 Indian Avenue, Lawrence, Kan.

Note to Editors: Credentialed media covering the event should be in place by 9:45 a.m. Press seating will be provided. The program will begin at 10:00 a.m.

LENEXA, Kan. – The dedication today of the American Indian Records Repository at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) records facility here marks a new chapter in the Interior Department’s undertaking to improve federal management of Indian records, said Interior Assistant Deputy Secretary Abraham E. Haspel.

He was joined by Assistant Secretary – Indian Affairs David W. Anderson, Special Trustee for American Indians Ross O. Swimmer and NARA Assistant Archivist for Regional Records Services Thomas E. Mills at a ceremony to formally open the repository that will house consolidated non-active records of the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and the Office of the Special Trustee as part of the department’s ongoing trust reform effort. The repository is part of NARA’s underground regional records service facility in Lenexa.

“The business of records management is a vital part of trust reform,” Anderson said. “I am very pleased that the collaboration between the department, NARA and Haskell has resulted in a partnership that will ensure Indian trust records are properly maintained and produce trained American Indian records management professionals.”

On September 12, 2003, Secretary Gale Norton and Archivist of the United States John W. Carlin signed a joint agreement creating a national repository for American Indian records at the Lenexa facility. The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between DOI and NARA will ensure that the highest standards will be observed in the preservation and protection of American Indian records, including fiduciary trust records.

“I recognize that one of the most important roles of the Special Trustee is to ensure that adequate records are kept to document transactions and activities occurring during the administration of the trust,” Swimmer said. “With the dedication today of the American Indian Records Repository, the effort to ensure proper records management is successfully completed. All Indian tribes and individuals now can be assured that their records will be appropriately cared for and available to them as a result of the work being done here.”

The MOU also created an archival records management studies program at Haskell Indian Nations University (HINU), a BIA operated post-secondary institution located in Lawrence, Kan., to train and certify Indian students in archival and records management.

“With the American Indian Records Repository in NARA’s state-of-the art records center and Haskell Indian Nations University’s archival records management studies program, Indian trust records will be better maintained and Haskell students will have an exceptional opportunity to become records management professionals,” Swimmer said.

The Assistant Secretary - Indian Affairs has responsibility for helping to fulfill the department’s trust responsibilities to individual and tribal trust beneficiaries, as well as promoting tribal self-determination, self-governance and economic development for the nation’s 562 federally recognized American Indian and Alaska Native tribes and their members. The Assistant Secretary also oversees the BIA, the 179-year old agency that provides services to individual American Indians and Alaska Natives from the federally recognized tribes; the Office of Federal Acknowledgment, which administers the Federal Acknowledgment Process; and the BIA school system which serves approximately 48,000 American Indian children located on or near 63 reservations in 23 states.

The Special Trustee for American Indians is responsible for the oversight and coordination of the department’s efforts to reform its practices relating to the management and discharge of the Secretary’s Indian trust responsibilities.

“The Department of the Interior has a zero tolerance policy regarding drinking and driving by its employees. In March 2004, the Bureau of Indian Affairs strengthened its policies and procedures that govern its employees’ use of government-owned vehicles and is committed to taking additional measures to ensure that this will not happen again. The Bureau of Indian Affairs extends its deepest condolences to the families of Larry and Rita Beller and Edward and Alice Ramaekers.”

WASHINGTON – Secretary of the Interior Gale A. Norton has appointed Christopher B. Chaney as associate solicitor for the Division of Indian Affairs in the U.S. Department of the Interior. Chaney, a member of the Seneca-Cayuga Tribe of Oklahoma, previously worked for the U.S. Department of Justice, serving with the United States Attorney’s office in Salt Lake City, Utah, and, more recently, at the Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys in Washington, D.C.

“I am pleased to appoint someone of Chris Chaney’s experience in Indian law and deep understanding of Indian country to the Office of the Solicitor,” said Secretary Norton. “We have many issues that we confront on a daily basis and a person of his caliber will be an asset.”

Chaney obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Oklahoma in 1984, and a law degree from Brigham Young University’s J. Reuben Clark Law School in 1992. From 1992 to 1997, he had a private law practice in Farmington, N.M. During that time he worked primarily in the field of Indian law and served as the prosecuting attorney for the Jicarilla Apache Tribe, the Southern Ute Tribe, and as an administrative law judge for the Navajo Housing Authority. In 1997, he accepted a position with the U.S. Department of Justice as an Assistant United States Attorney in Salt Lake City, Utah. As a federal prosecutor he prosecuted violent crimes that occurred on the Navajo Nation reservation, the Ute Tribe’s Uintah & Ouray reservation, and other areas of Indian country within the state of Utah. He also served as the U.S. Attorney’s Tribal Liaison to the eight tribes located in Utah. In 2000, Chaney accepted a work detail to the Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys as Counsel to the Director’s Office where he worked on Indian country legal issues on a national scale. Mr. Chaney is a member of the bars of Utah, New Mexico, and the Navajo Nation.

“I am humbled that Secretary Norton has entrusted me with this associate solicitor position,” said Chaney. “My goal is to have a positive and lasting impact by doing what I can to serve the needs of Indian country and the public in general.”

The Interior Solicitor’s Office Division of Indian Affairs is responsible for legal matters related to the programs and activities of the Bureau of Indian Affairs. In addition, the Division provides legal assistance and counsel to the Assistant Secretary - Indian Affairs and the Special Trustee for American Indians.

Note to Editors: A photo of Christopher Chaney may be viewed via the Interior Department’s web site at www.doi.gov.

-DOI-

Los Angeles, CA - Deputy Secretary of the Interior Steven Griles today joined representatives of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, the San Luis Rey Indian Water Authority, the City of Escondido and the Vista Irrigation District to sign Principles of Agreement for the San Luis Rey Indian Water Settlement Act.

"The agreement on these principles represents a significant step toward the fulfillment of a decades-old promise to secure a permanent source of water for the Pala, Pauma, Rincon, San Pasqual and La Jolla reservations," Griles said. "This agreement is one more example of Interior's commitment to help strengthen Tribal economies and fulfill our Trust obligations."

"I commend all of the parties for their involvement and hard work in reaching an agreement. I want to recognize the negotiation leadership provided by the Department's San Luis Rey implementation team with the able assistance of the Bureau of Reclamation and the Bureau of Land Management," Griles added.

"This is a tremendously important agreement and an important day for the San Luis Rey Indian Tribes. This agreement represents a missing piece of the puzzle that dates back 100 years and it lays the basis for water to be delivered to the reservations," Bob Pelcyger, attorney for the San Luis Water Authority, said.

Under the California 4.4 plan, the Secretary of the Interior is working with the Tribes, the State of California and local water districts to execute a number of required agreements. The agreement to implement the San Luis Rey Water Settlement Act, and the securing of water for these Tribes, is one of those important agreements.

Following extensive discussions, the parties involved have agreed that the water to which the San Luis Rey Tribes are entitled - which will become available through the lining of the All American and Coachella canals will be made available for leasing by the Metropolitan Water District.

"I am delighted that the principles of this agreement not only moves us a step closer to a solution for Southern California water, but is also a significant step in securing benefits for these Tribes that have waited such a long time," Griles said.

-DOI-

Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton today officially signed the Colorado River Water Delivery Agreement, a landmark pact that begins a new era of cooperation on the river by fulfilling a promise California made more than 70 years ago.

"This Agreement marks a historic turning point for California and the Colorado River Basin States," Norton said after signing the pact with officials of four California water agencies. "The economy and well-being of a large part of the growing West rely on critical agreements, such as this one, that allocate Colorado River water, provide assurances of long-term supplies, and clear the way for market-based transfers and other tools that are essential to meet the growing water needs of the region."

Under Norton's leadership as Secretary of the Interior, California has agreed to take specific, incremental steps that will reduce its over-reliance on Colorado River water in the next 14 years, allowing the state to live within its authorized annual share of 4.4 million acre-feet. The Agreement allows the six other Colorado River Basin States to protect their authorized shares to meet future needs.

Federal, state and local officials from the Colorado River Basin States joined Norton for the signing of the pact at Hoover Dam. Norton said the venue was particularly appropriate, noting that "in 1928 Congress required California to 'irrevocably and unconditionally' agree to limit its annual use of Colorado River water to 4.4.million acre-feet, making the state's assent a condition for building this magnificent keystone of the lower Colorado River distribution system. Without California's 1929 promise, there would be no Hoover Dam."

Though California agreed to this limitation in 1929, the state has been drawing extra or surplus water from the river for the past several decades, leaving its promise to the other Colorado River Basin States and the Federal Government unfulfilled. The key to meeting California's commitment was dividing the state's 4.4 million acre-foot share among its southern farming and urban communities.

The Agreement signed today is that long-sought quantification - the Federal Quantification Settlement Agreement - that enables California to meet the needs of its citizens, urban and rural, in a manner that respects the rights of other Colorado River Basin States.

The framework to implement the quantification agreement was reached after years of difficult negotiations. In late 2000, California, the other six Basin States, and the Department of the Interior agreed on this framework, known as the Interim Surplus Guidelines. The Guidelines provided California with a choice as to how it would reduce its over-reliance on the waters of the Colorado River.

If the state met all of the Guidelines' benchmarks, it would continue to have access to extra water during the transition to its 4.4 million acre-foot limit. If California failed to meet a benchmark, it would immediately lose access to that extra water. Despite the efforts of many local, state and federal officials, California failed to meet the first major benchmark under the Interim Surplus Guidelines on Dec. 31,2002, and automatically lost its access to the extra Colorado River water.

Since then, negotiations among the four California water agencies, the Department, and representatives of all seven Colorado River Basin States have continued, and all parties worked through an astounding series of difficult issues. "But they persevered," Norton said, "and as a result of the hard work, dedication, and persistence of those negotiators, we are here today to celebrate a success for the Colorado River."

By executing this pact, California regains the right to access extra Colorado water over 14 years, easing its gradual reduction and lessening pressure on Northern California to send more water south. By reallocating the state's share, California also will be able to provide water for its growing cities and address the environmental concerns of the Salton Sea. The Agreement also allows farming communities in Southern California to strengthen their economies through water efficiency projects, canal modernization, conservation, and water marketing.

"For the Basin States, the Agreement provides certainty, allowing them to protect their authorized allocations and meet their future water needs," Norton emphasized. "As part of this agreement, and in reliance on the promises made in the agreement, I have fully reinstated the Interim Surplus Guidelines," Norton declared.

That will allow Nevada, which lost access to extra water from the Colorado River along with California, to again have access to this water and return to the long-term path it has developed to meet the needs of its growing population.

The Agreement also provides the critical water supply necessary to resolve the water rights claims of the La Jolla, Pala, Pauma, Rincon, and San Pasqual Bands of Mission Indians. "Because of the hard work, dedication, and persistence of local, state and federal negotiators over the past nine months as well as over the last decade, we are here today to execute the hard-won fruits of these Herculean labors," Norton said. "With this agreement, conflict on the river is stilled."

"To the countless people who worked long hours, sacrificed weekends away from family and sat down in good faith to make today's agreement a reality, I thank you," Norton said.. "People throughout the West thank you; and future generations in the Colorado River Basin - from the headwaters to the Lower Basin -- will enjoy the benefits of your success." Norton said the agreement also demonstrates "what can be accomplished by working cooperatively -- despite seemingly insurmountable obstacles -- and by using innovative approaches to find solutions to the water supply challenges facing communities across the West."

-DOI-

WASHINGTON – Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary – Indian Affairs Aurene M. Martin today announced that the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) will hold a series of tribal consultation meetings on the realignment of the regional and agency offices in 8 of its 12 regions. The meetings will take place October 27-30 at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas, Nev. The realignment is a result of the reorganization currently taking place within the Interior Department’s Office of the Assistant Secretary – Indian Affairs, the BIA and the Office of the Special Trustee for American Indians.

The BIA held the first series of consultation meetings on September 24-25 in Tulsa, Okla., with representatives from federally recognized tribes in the Southern Plains, Eastern Oklahoma, Midwest and Eastern Regions. The schedule for the remaining consultation meetings is as follows (all times are local time):

October 27, 2003

9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.: Great Plains Region

1:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.: Rocky Mountain Region

October 28, 2003

9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.: Southwest Region

1:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.: Navajo Region

October 29, 2003

9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.: Pacific Region

1:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.: Northwest Region

October 30, 2003

9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.: Western Region

1:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.: Alaska Region

In June 2003, the Department held informational sessions throughout the country to brief employees, Indian tribes and interested parties on the status and structure of the reorganization. The consultation meetings held last month and taking place this month are opportunities for tribes and interested parties to provide oral and written comments regarding the organizational structure of the regional offices for consideration by the Assistant Secretary – Indian Affairs.

On September 17, the Department published a notice in the Federal Register with dates and locations of the meetings. Comments are due two weeks following the consultation for each region.

-DOI-

BARONA RESERVATION, Calif., Nov. 17 U.S. Newswire -- Interior Secretary Gale Norton today surveyed fire damage suffered by the Barona Band of Mission Indians at the Barona Reservation. Approximately 6,300 acres of tribal land was burned as the Cedar fire spread across the community on Oct. 25,2003. The fire consumed 39 homes, two schools and reservation's electrical and telephone infrastructure. Secretary Norton said the Bureau of Indian Affairs has provided $723,000 in emergency assistance for dislocated tribal members in Southern California affected by October fires.

The BIA has approved 564 applications for emergency assistance - of which at least 32 have been approved for Barona tribal, members. The assistance is distributed at $1,000 per tribal family and is provided to pay for shelter, food and clothing while a family is dislocated. ' "While no one can replace the memories and heartache that these fires have caused, the Bureau of Indian Affairs has responded by providing emergency assistance to tribal members throughout Southern California," Secretary Norton said. BIA's Southern California Agency has been a lead group in conducting weekly informational meetings with tribal leaders and members affected by the fire all across Indian Country.

The Agency has also arranged individual meetings between FEMA and tribal leaders regarding housing assistance, "The people of the Barona reservation are beginning to recover," Secretary Norton said. New replacement home construction is in the planning stage. On November 10, tribal members were given five floor plans to choose from for their replacement home. The tribe will build the homes and members will buy these homes and a pay a mortgage to the tribe. "The electrical service is back at the Barona Reservation and the healing is underway. It will take time and it will take perseverance. I thank the tribal leaders and members, BIA employees and countless others across Southern California Indian Country for working so selflessly and heroically to restore the community's, rebuild the infrastructure and foundations and renew spirits," Secretary Norton concluded.

Thirteen federally recognized tribes were affected by the recent fires in Southern California tribes. The following list is the tribes and a brief description of the losses:

-- Barona Band of Mission Indians - All 6,296 acres of reservation land burned. 35-40 homes and a daycare center lost.

-- San Pasqual Band of Diegueno Indians - 2 deaths and all 1,380 acres of reservation land burned. All of the approximately 70 homes on the reservation were burned.

-- Rincon Band of Mission Indians - Over 20 homes lost and three-quarters of the 4,269 acre reservation were scorched.

-- San Manuel Band of Mission Indians - All 700 acres burned with 2 homes destroyed.

-- Capitan Grande Band of Diegueno Mission Indians - All 15,753 acres of reservation land burned.

-- Viejas Band of Mission Indians - 1,609 acres burned.

-- Inaja-Cosmit Reservation - All 852 acres burned.

-- Santa Ysabel Band of Mission Indians - 150 of 15,527 acres burned.

-- La Jolla Band of Luiseno Indians - More than 2,000 acres of the 8,541, acre reservation burned.

-- Sycuan Band of Mission Indians - 30 acres burned.

-- Ewiiaapaayp Band of Kumeyaay Indians (formerly the Cuyapaipe Band of Mission Indians) was evacuated and five acres burned.

-- The Mesa Grande Band of Mission Indians (1,802 total reservation acres) was evacuated, but there was no damage to the reservation.

-- La Posta Reservation, San Diego County. The reservation was evacuated, but there was no damage to the reservation.

TEMECULA, CALIFORNIA - The U.S. Department of the Interiors Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs, Aurene M. Martin, met here today with representatives of various State and Federal agencies and tribal leaders in a "rapid response" assistance effort to help some 2,750 members of a dozen Native American tribes who have been affected by three major wildfires in southern California. Ten deaths have been reported, an estimated 30,000 acres have burned and 130 homes have been destroyed on reservations of tribes in the region.

Martin says she has approved a plan for the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) to shift its resources to provide $723,000 in emergency funding for assistance to eligible tribal members impacted by the devastating fires. Martin says she is working within the Department of the Interior and with other federal agencies to identify sources for additional assistance that could be quickly utilized to assist the tribes.

"We have gathered the resources of the Federal government to help the tribes and tribal members who have been devastated by the recent wildfires," Martin said today. "The Pacific regional office of the BIA has taken hundreds of applications for assistance so far. Today, we have gathered the leading partners in our rapid response effort. Tribal governments that were not directly impacted by the recent fires, along with the State of California, have joined us in this important effort. For example, the Pechanga Band of Mission Indians offered its government offices for this meeting of tribal, state and federal agencies today. On the federal side, we have brought together the resources of BIA, FEMA - the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Indian Health Service to identify immediate and long-term assistance for the twelve affected tribes.

"I have approved the transfer of federal dollars within BIA to provide direct assistance to many who have suffered damages on California reservations in recent weeks. We are looking for more avenues of financial assistance for these tribes and their members." California tribes reported with direct impacts from recent wildfires include:

• Barona Band of Mission Indians - 8 deaths and all 6,296 acres of reservation land burned. 35-40 homes and a daycare lost.
• San Pasqual Band of Diegueno Indians - 2 deaths and all 1,380 acres of reservation land burned. All of the approximately 70 homes on the reservation were burned.
• Rincon Band of Mission Indians - Over 20 homes lost and three-quarters of the 4,269 acre reservation were scorched.
• San Manuel Band of Mission Indians - All 700 acres burned with 2 homes destroyed.
• Capitan Grande Band of Diegueno Mission Indians - All 15,753 acres of reservation land burned.
• Viejas Band of Mission Indians - 100 of 1,609 acres burned.
• Inaja-Cosmit Reservation - All 852 acres burned.
• Santa Ysabel Band of Mission Indians - 150 of 15,527 acres burned.
• La Jolla Band of Luiseno Indians - More than 2,000 acres of the 8,541 acre reservation burned.
• Sycuan Band of Mission Indians - 30 acres burned.
• Two reservations, the Ewiiaapaayp Band of Kumeyaay Indians [formerly the Cuyapaipe Band of Mission Indians] (5,464 total reservation acres) and the Mesa Grande Band of Mission Indians (1,802 total reservation acres), were threatened by wildfires and faced evacuation orders, but have not reported damaged lands or property.

The Assistant Secretary - Indian Affairs has responsibility for fulfilling the Department's trust responsibilities to individual and tribal trust beneficiaries, as well as promoting the self-determination and economic well-being of the nation's 562 federally recognized American Indian and Alaska Native tribes. The Assistant Secretary also oversees the Bureau of Indian Affairs, which is responsible for providing education and social services to approximately 1.4 million individual American Indians and Alaska Natives from the federally recognized tribes.