OPA

Washington -- Assistant Secretary–Indian Affairs Larry Echo Hawk on August 6, 2010, issued a proposed finding not to acknowledge the petitioner known as the Central Band of Cherokee (CBC) (Petitioner #227) as an Indian tribe. The petitioner, located in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee, has approximately 407 members. The evidence shows the petitioner is a voluntary association formed in 2000 of individuals who claim but have not documented Indian ancestry. There is no evidence that Petitioner #227 existed under any name prior to its emergence in 2000 as the “Cherokees of Lawrence County, TN, Sugar Creek Band of the Southeastern Cherokee Confederacy, Inc.” Under the regulations, the Department may not acknowledge associations, organizations, corporations, or groups of any character formed in recent times.

The petitioner claims its members are descendants of Cherokee Indians who had not given up their rights to 1806 treaty lands in Tennessee, or are descendants of Indians living in Tennessee who evaded removal or escaped when the Cherokee were removed from North Carolina in the late 1830s. None of the evidence demonstrates the validity of either claim.

The Office of Federal Acknowledgment (OFA) evaluated the group’s petition under 83.10(e) of the acknowledgment regulations, which allows for issuing a proposed finding under criterion 83.7(e) only. To meet criterion 83.7(e), the petitioner must demonstrate descent from a historical Indian tribe or tribes that combined and functioned as a single entity. The petitioner’s self-generated family histories and descent reports that attribute Cherokee ancestry to some of its ancestors are not supported by the evidence. The recent decision of the Tennessee Commission on Indian Affairs to grant state recognition to the CBC does not provide evidence of Indian descent.

OFA investigated CBC’s claims, located public records to verify members’ ancestors, and examined rolls of early eastern Cherokee Indians. The readily available public records clearly showed the petitioner’s members do not descend from any Cherokee group or any other Indian tribe. The evidence clearly shows the group’s ancestors were consistently identified as non-Indians, primarily “White” settlers coming to Tennessee in the early and mid-1800s from disparate locations. At no time were they identified as Indians or living in an Indian community.

The petitioner clearly does not meet criterion 83.7(e), which satisfies the requirement for issuing a proposed finding under 83.10(e). If, in the response to the proposed finding, the petitioner provides sufficient evidence that it meets criterion 83.7(e) under the reasonable likelihood standard, then the Department will undertake a review of the petition under all seven mandatory criteria. If, in the response, the petitioner does not provide sufficient evidence that it meets criterion 83.7(e) under that standard, then the Assistant Secretary will issue a final determination based upon criterion 83.7(e) only.

The Department will publish notice of this proposed finding in the Federal Register. The regulations provide that the petitioner or any party will have 180 days after the publication of the notice to submit comments to rebut or support the proposed finding before the Department issues a final determination. After the comment period, the petitioner will have an additional 60 days to respond to the comments from third parties. Following the response period, the Department will begin work on a final determination.

The Assistant Secretary – Indian Affairs has responsibility for fulfilling the Interior Department’s trust responsibilities and promoting self-determination on behalf of the 564 federally recognized American Indian and Alaska Native tribal governments. The Assistant Secretary also oversees the Bureau of Indian Affairs, which is responsible for providing services to the tribes and their members, approximately 1.9 million individual American Indians and Alaska Natives, and OFA, which administers the Federal acknowledgment process.

The Department will post copies of the proposed finding and Federal Register notice on its website at http://www.bia.gov/WhoWeAre/AS-IA/OFA/RecentCases/index.htm.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Assistant Secretary – Indian Affairs Kevin K. Washburn visited the Pueblo of Isleta today to participate in the tribe’s impaired-driving checkpoint under the Bureau of Indian Affairs’ 2012 national campaign to prevent impaired driving during the holiday season, known as “Don’t Shatter the Dream.” Operated by the Bureau’s Office of Justice Services (OJS), the campaign began December 14 and will continue through January 1, 2013.

Washburn was joined by OJS Division of Highway Safety Deputy Associate Director Algin Young at the checkpoint, which was staffed by Isleta tribal police, where they watched officers check cars and deploy a Breath Alcohol Testing (BAT) Mobile unit provided by OJS to support the operation.

“The work done by Bureau of Indian Affairs and tribal law enforcement to serve and protect tribal communities like Isleta Pueblo is of vital interest to the administration and DOI,” Washburn said. “As a former assistant U.S. attorney in New Mexico, I am all too familiar with the human tragedies that result from impaired driving accidents. I want to thank our law enforcement officers and partners for this ‘Don’t Shatter the Dream’ mobilization, and urge everyone to drive and ride safely this holiday season.”

The BAT Mobile is a 40-foot long mobile unit that uses state-of-the art lighting, camera and communications systems. It has equipment to measure breath alcohol levels, a containment cell to transport suspects, and an interior camera to produce court-quality videos of the testing process.

“Keeping drivers and their passengers safe on the roadways during the holidays is the main goal of the Don’t Shatter the Dream’ mobilization,” Young said. “BIA and tribal police work together in an effort to reduce injuries and fatalities resulting from those driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.”

The 211,095-acre Isleta Indian Reservation, located south of the city of Albuquerque, is home to a population of approximately 3,400 Isleta tribal members and other residents, and is traversed by 291 road miles. During their 2011 Don’t Shatter the Dream mobilization, Isleta tribal law enforcement issued numerous seat belt and speeding citations, and made five DUI arrests, with no fatalities occurring during the mobilization period.

This is the eighth year that BIA and tribal law enforcement officers have implemented the Don’t Shatter the Dream campaign on federal Indian lands.

The BIA Office of Justice Services’ mission is to enhance public safety and protect property in Indian Country by funding or providing law enforcement, corrections and tribal court services to the nation’s federally recognized tribes. It also coordinates emergency preparedness support on federal Indian lands by working cooperatively with other federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies throughout Indian Country. It also operates the Indian Police Academy in Artesia, N.M., which provides training and professional development to BIA and tribal law enforcement personnel.

-DOI-

WASHINGTON – Assistant Secretary - Indian Affairs Larry Echo Hawk today announced that the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Office of Justice Services (OJS) Division of Drug Enforcement (DDE) worked in successful cooperation with the Caddo County Okla. Sheriff’s Office, the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics (OBN), and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol to halt a drug operation discovered by a lease holder looking for lost livestock. The land being leased is a Kiowa tribal member’s allotment near Carnegie, Okla. This collaborative effort between the BIA OJS-DDE in conjunction with its other law enforcement partners took place earlier this month and ended with the seizure and dismantling of a marijuana operation, as well as the arrest of a suspect.

“Bureau of Indian Affairs law enforcement personnel play a vital role in the detection, investigation and prosecution of drug crimes both within Indian Country and across the United States,” said Echo Hawk. “I congratulate BIA’s Division of Drug Enforcement, the sheriff’s deputies and the other law enforcement officers who contributed to successfully stopping this drug operation.”

Based on information provided by the Caddo County Sheriff’s Office they received a tip that marijuana was being cultivated on federal Indian trust land near Carnegie. This led to a follow up reconnaissance by a BIA Special Agent (SA) on August 10, 2010. On August 11, 2010, the BIA SA, with the assistance of OBN agents, Caddo County Sheriff’s officers, and Oklahoma Highway patrolmen, successfully eradicated the marijuana crop, dismantled the cultivation operation and apprehended one of two suspects.

The BIA Office of Justice Services is responsible for managing the Bureau’s law enforcement, detention facilities and tribal courts programs, either directly in tribal communities or by funding tribally administered programs through contract and grants.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Assistant Secretary-Indian Affairs Larry Echo Hawk today announced that the Indian Affairs Office of Indian Gaming (OIG) will conduct tribal consultation with federally recognized tribes on Indian Gaming Land into Trust Determinations. A letter announcing the meetings was sent to tribal leaders on August 24, 2010.

“I am pleased that Indian Affairs is continuing our consultation with tribes,” Echo Hawk said. “It is critical that we work together with tribes to address important issues regarding Indian Gaming and sovereignty.”

Secretary Salazar issued a directive on July 18, 2010, recommending a thorough review of the "current guidance and regulatory standards" used to make decisions for off-reservation two-part determinations under Section 20 of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) and its implementing regulations. In accordance with the Secretary's directive, and in keeping with the Department of Interior's commitment to government-to-government consultation, the OIG will engage with tribal governments on three major subjects: (1) the January 3, 2008 Memorandum regarding Guidance on Taking Off-reservation Land into Trust for Gaming Purposes; (2) whether there is a need to revise any of the provisions of 25 C.F.R. Part 292, Subpart A (Definitions) and Subpart C (Two-Part Determinations); and (3) whether the Department of the Interior's process of requiring compliance with 25 C.F.R. Part 151 (Land Into Trust Regulations) should come before or after the Two-Part Determination.

The Office of Indian Gaming implements the Secretary’s responsibilities under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. The office reviews and approves/disapproves fee-to-trust applications; gaming leases; tribal/state compacts; per capita distributions plans; gaming contracts; Secretarial procedures for class III gaming and requests to game on land acquired in trust after the enactment of IGRA. The office is also charged with developing policies and procedures, providing technical assistance and training in all of the above areas.

Comments may be mailed or hand delivered to the Office of Indian Gaming, 1849 C Street N.W., MS-3657-MIB, Washington, D.C. 20240. Please contact the Office of Indian Gaming at (202) 219-4066 for any additional questions you might have about the upcoming meetings.

Additional information can be found on the “Current Tribal Consultations” page of the Indian Affairs website at http://www.indianaffairs.gov/WhoWeAre/AS-IA/Consultation/index.htm

WASHINGTON – Assistant Secretary-Indian Affairs Larry Echo Hawk today announced that he has taken steps to address the change in accreditation status of the Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute (SIPI), a Bureau of Indian Education post secondary institution of higher learning in Albuquerque, N.M., by its accrediting organization, the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. SIPI’s status was changed from “accredited” to “candidate for accreditation” following a periodic review and evaluation by the HLC that examined the Institute’s record from 2000 to 2010.

“I am deeply concerned about this setback for SIPI and its students,” Echo Hawk said. “In response to this development, I have directed my education team to take all necessary steps to regain SIPI’s status as a fully accredited institution as quickly as possible. To that end, the Office of the Assistant Secretary is working in close coordination with Bureau of Indian Education Director Keith Moore and SIPI President Sherry Allison to swiftly address and alleviate the deficiencies identified by the HLC.”

The Assistant Secretary outlined his response to SIPI’s change in status in a letter to tribal leaders dated August 26, 2010.

The change to “candidate for accreditation” status, which became effective on August 6, 2010, will not affect SIPI’s eligibility for federal funding or its students’ eligibility for federal and state financial aid programs. It also will not affect the transferability of academic credits earned by students prior to the August 6 effective date. Credits earned after August 6 and prior to SIPI regaining full accreditation, however, may transfer only to institutions that will permit them.

Allison, who was named president in December 2009, was formally notified of the change in status by the HLC in a letter dated July 2, 2010. According to the HLC, which performed its review in a site visit that took place the same month, SIPI failed to meet the first four of five criteria the Commission uses for all post secondary institutions. The HLC did note the high degree of commitment demonstrated by SIPI representatives to the Institute’s mission and students and to improving its operations. The HLC also acknowledged as credible the BIE’s plans for remediating SIPI’s accreditation issues.

The Assistant Secretary and his education team will be working with tribal leaders, the U.S. Department of Education, the SIPI Board of Regents and the SIPI community over the coming months to prepare for the next HLC evaluation team visit, which is scheduled for March 2011. At that time, the team is expected to determine whether SIPI is continuing to meet “candidate for accreditation” eligibility requirements and if it is making reasonable progress toward meeting the criteria for full accreditation. In the meantime, the BIE and SIPI are developing a Performance Improvement and Action Plan (PIAP) to serve as a roadmap for the Institute’s return to full accreditation status.

SIPI officials also are in discussions with the New Mexico Higher Education Department and other relevant associations in New Mexico, including the New Mexico Association of Community Colleges, New Mexico Independent Community Colleges and the New Mexico Council of University Presidents, with the goal of ensuring that credits earned after August 6 will continue to be transferable to all in-state colleges and universities. The BIE will work with out-of-state institutions on a case-by-case basis to assist SIPI students seeking to transfer credits. The BIE is responsible for ensuring the implementation of federal education laws, including the No Child Left Behind Act, in 183 BIE-funded elementary and secondary schools and residential programs located on 64 reservations in 23 states serving approximately 42,000 American Indian and Alaska Native students and employing over 5,000 teachers, administrators and support personnel.

The BIE also provides resources and technical assistance to 124 tribally administered BIE-funded schools, 26 tribal colleges and universities and two technical colleges. It also directly oversees two post secondary institutions: SIPI and the Haskell Indian Nations University in Lawrence, Kan.

SIPI is a National Indian Community College established in 1971 at the request of the 19 Pueblos of New Mexico and other federally recognized tribes in the U.S. to help train American Indians and Alaska Natives for employment. It is advised by a national, tribally appointed Board of Regents. SIPI provides career technical training and transfer degree programs to students from the nation’s 564 federally recognized tribes. It offers competitive job training programs; granting of Associate of Applied Science, Associate of Arts and Associate of Science degrees; and opportunities to transfer into four-year degree programs. SIPI’s fall 2009 enrollment was 657 students from over 150 tribes.

The August 26, 2010, letter from Assistant Secretary Echo Hawk to tribal leaders may be viewed at http://www.indianaffairs.gov/idc/groups/public/documents/text/idc010785… .

The July 2, 2010, letter from the Higher Learning Commission to SIPI President Allison may be viewed at http://www.indianaffairs.gov/idc/groups/public/documents/text/idc010792….

WASHINGTON – Assistant Secretary – Indian Affairs Kevin K. Washburn today announced the Bureau of Indian Education’s (BIE) intent to establish a Committee to help evaluate and recommend revisions to regulations for determining Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) for its schools under the No Child Left Behind Act. The BIE is also seeking comments on the proposal to establish this Committee and nominations for its membership by March 4, 2013.

“The changing landscape with respect to state accountability standards under the No Child Left Behind Act means the Bureau of Indian Education must also change its approach to determining Adequate Yearly Progress for its schools,” Washburn said. “The BIE must have the ability to produce measurable data on student academic achievement, and I strongly encourage tribal leaders to submit nominations for this AYP Negotiated Rulemaking Committee.”

The No Child Left Behind Act amended the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, in part, to require the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) to promulgate regulations for a student progress accountability system, which includes a specific methodology for calculating AYP, to be used in Bureau-funded schools. In 2005, the BIA promulgated regulations that require the BIE to use the accountability system of the state where a Bureau-funded school is located in order to calculate the school’s AYP.

With schools in 23 states, each state having its own accountability system, the BIE developed a method for comparing academic achievement across states despite the variance in academic standards. However, the U.S. Department of Education has granted some states flexibility waivers from the requirements of the No Child Left Behind Act. These waivers have increased the degree of difficulty challenging the BIE in using 23 state accountability systems to effectively compare achievement among its schools. Therefore, the Secretary, through authority delegated to the Assistant Secretary – Indian Affairs, has determined that a new rule is needed.

The Secretary also is seeking nominations for tribal representatives to serve on the Committee, especially those who have a demonstrated ability to communicate well with groups about the interests they will represent. The Committee cannot exceed 25 members. Nominations for tribal representatives and alternates are being solicited from tribes whose students attend Bureau-funded schools operated either by the BIE or the tribe through a contract or grant.

Nominations for Committee members or written comments on the proposal to establish an AYP Negotiated Rulemaking Committee may be submitted by close of business on March 4, 2013, to Sue Bement, Designated Federal Officer, Bureau of Indian Education, 1011 Indian School Rd., N.W., Suite 332, Albuquerque, N.M. 87104, Phone: 505-563-5274, Fax: 505-563-5281; by email to AYPcomments@bia.gov; or hand-delivered to the BIE at the Manuel Lujan Jr. Building, Building II, Suite 332, 1011 Indian School Rd., N.W., Albuquerque, N.M. 87104.

For more information on the proposed AYP Negotiated Rulemaking Committee, including criteria and submission instructions for nominees and negotiated rulemaking procedures, see the Federal Register notice at http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2013-01-31/pdf/2013-01957.pdf.

The Assistant Secretary – Indian Affairs oversees the Bureau of Indian Education, which operates the federal school system for American Indian and Alaska Native children from the federally recognized tribes. The BIE provides funding and implements federal education laws, such as the No Child Left Behind Act, for 183 elementary and secondary day and boarding schools and peripheral dormitories on 64 reservations in 23 states that serve about 42,000 students. The BIE also serves post secondary students through higher education scholarships and administers operating grants to 26 tribal colleges and universities and two tribal technical colleges. It also directly operates two post secondary institutions: Haskell Indian Nations University in Lawrence, Kan., and the Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute in Albuquerque.

-DOI-

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, and in order to promote and sustain prosperous and resilient Native American tribal governments, it is hereby ordered as follows:

Section 1. Policy. The United States recognizes a government-to-government relationship, as well as a unique legal and political relationship, with federally recognized tribes. This relationship is set forth in the Constitution of the United States, treaties, statutes, Executive Orders, administrative rules and regulations, and judicial decisions. Honoring these relationships and respecting the sovereignty of tribal nations is critical to advancing tribal self-determination and prosperity.

As we work together to forge a brighter future for all Americans, we cannot ignore a history of mistreatment and destructive policies that have hurt tribal communities. The United States seeks to continue restoring and healing relations with Native Americans and to strengthen its partnership with tribal governments, for our more recent history demonstrates that tribal self-determination -- the ability of tribal governments to determine how to build and sustain their own communities -- is necessary for successful and prospering communities. We further recognize that restoring tribal lands through appropriate means helps foster tribal self-determination.

This order establishes a national policy to ensure that the Federal Government engages in a true and lasting government-to-government relationship with federally recognized tribes in a more coordinated and effective manner, including by better carrying out its trust responsibilities. This policy is established as a means of promoting and sustaining prosperous and resilient tribal communities. Greater engagement and meaningful consultation with tribes is of paramount importance in developing any policies affecting tribal nations.

To honor treaties and recognize tribes' inherent sovereignty and right to self-government under U.S. law, it is the policy of the United States to promote the development of prosperous and resilient tribal communities, including by:

(a) promoting sustainable economic development, particularly energy, transportation, housing, other infrastructure, entrepreneurial, and workforce development to drive future economic growth and security;

(b) supporting greater access to, and control over, nutrition and healthcare, including special efforts to confront historic health disparities and chronic diseases;

(c) supporting efforts to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of tribal justice systems and protect tribal communities;

(d) expanding and improving lifelong educational opportunities for American Indians and Alaska Natives, while respecting demands for greater tribal control over tribal education, consistent with Executive Order 13592 of December 2, 2011 (Improving American Indian and Alaska Native Educational Opportunities and Strengthening Tribal Colleges and Universities); and

(e) protecting tribal lands, environments, and natural resources, and promoting respect for tribal cultures.

Sec. 2. Establishment. There is established the White House Council on Native American Affairs (Council). The Council shall improve coordination of Federal programs and the use of resources available to tribal communities.

Sec. 3. Membership. (a) The Secretary of the Interior shall serve as the Chair of the Council, which shall also include the heads of the following executive departments, agencies, and offices:

(i) the Department of State;

(ii) the Department of the Treasury;

(iii) the Department of Defense;

(iv) the Department of Justice;

(v) the Department of Agriculture;

(vi) the Department of Commerce;

(vii) the Department of Labor;

(viii) the Department of Health and Human Services;

(ix) the Department of Housing and Urban Development;

(x) the Department of Transportation;

(xi) the Department of Energy;

(xii) the Department of Education;

(xiii) the Department of Veterans Affairs;

(xiv) the Department of Homeland Security;

(xv) the Social Security Administration;

(xvi) the Office of Personnel Management;

(xvii) the Office of the United States Trade Representative;

(xviii) the Office of Management and Budget;

(xix) the Environmental Protection Agency;

(xx) the Small Business Administration;

(xxi) the Council of Economic Advisers;

(xxii) the Office of National Drug Control Policy;

(xxiii) the Domestic Policy Council;

(xxiv) the National Economic Council;

(xxv) the Office of Science and Technology Policy;

(xxvi) the Council on Environmental Quality;

(xxvii) the White House Office of Public Engagement and Intergovernmental Affairs;

(xxviii) the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation;

(xxix) the Denali Commission;

(xxx) the White House Office of Cabinet Affairs; and

(xxxi) such other executive departments, agencies, and offices as the Chair may, from time to time, designate.

(b) A member of the Council may designate a senior-level official, who is a full-time officer or employee of the Federal Government, to perform his or her functions.

(c) The Department of the Interior shall provide funding and administrative support for the Council to the extent permitted by law and within existing appropriations.

(d) The Council shall coordinate its policy development through the Domestic Policy Council.

(e) The Council shall coordinate its outreach to federally recognized tribes through the White House Office of Public Engagement and Intergovernmental Affairs.

(f) The Council shall meet three times a year, with any additional meetings convened as deemed necessary by the Chair. The Chair may invite other interested agencies and offices to attend meetings as appropriate.

Sec. 4. Mission and Function of the Council. The Council shall work across executive departments, agencies, and offices to coordinate development of policy recommendations to support tribal self-governance and improve the quality of life for Native Americans, and shall coordinate the United States Government's engagement with tribal governments and their communities. The Council shall:

(a) make recommendations to the President, through the Director of the Domestic Policy Council, concerning policy priorities, including improving the effectiveness of Federal investments in Native American communities, where appropriate, to increase the impact of Federal resources and create greater opportunities to help improve the quality of life for Native Americans;

(b) coordinate, through the Director of the Office of Public Engagement and Intergovernmental Affairs, Federal engagement with tribal governments and Native American stakeholders regarding issues important to Native Americans, including with tribal consortia, small businesses, education and training institutions including tribal colleges and universities, health-care providers, trade associations, research and grant institutions, law enforcement, State and local governments, and community and non-profit organizations;

(c) coordinate a more effective and efficient process for executive departments, agencies, and offices to honor the United States commitment to tribal consultation as set forth in Executive Order 13175 of November 6, 2000 (Consultation and Coordination With Indian Tribal Governments), and my memorandum of November 5, 2009 (Tribal Consultation); and

(d) assist the White House Office of Public Engagement and Intergovernmental Affairs in organizing the White House Tribal Nations Conference each year by bringing together leaders invited from all federally recognized Indian tribes and senior officials from the Federal Government to provide for direct government-to-government discussion of the Federal Government's Indian country policy priorities.

Sec. 5. General Provisions. (a) The heads of executive departments, agencies, and offices shall assist and provide information to the Council, consistent with applicable law, as may be necessary to carry out the functions of the Council.

(b) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:

(i) the authority granted by law to an executive department, agency, or the head thereof; or

(ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.

(c) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.

(d) For purposes of this order, "federally recognized tribe" means an Indian or Alaska Native tribe, band, nation, pueblo, village, or community that the Secretary of the Interior acknowledges to exist as an Indian tribe pursuant to the Federally Recognized Indian Tribe List Act of 1994, 25 U.S.C. 479a.

(e) For purposes of this order, "American Indian and Alaska Native" means a member of an Indian tribe, as membership is defined by the tribe.

(f) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.

BARACK OBAMA

THE WHITE HOUSE,

June 26, 2013.

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NCAI Mid Year Conference LIVE STREAM - Department of the Interior, Secretary Sally Jewell Addresses the Third General Assembly

Time: 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. Pacific Time

Live Stream Link: http://youtu.be/mUQ2v1HIDLM

Today, June 27, 2013, Secretary Sally Jewell will address the Third General Assembly at NCAI's Mid Year Conference in Reno, Nevada. Secretary Jewell was recently nominated by President Obama and became the 51st Secretary of the Interior on April 12, 2013. Prior to joining the Department of the Interior, Secretary Jewell was the President and CEO of REI (Recreation Equipment, Inc.), one of the major national outdoor outfitters in the country and ranked by Fortune Magazine as one of the top 100 companies to work for. Secretary Jewell also has a background as a commercial banker in energy and natural resources, and has training as a petroleum engineer.

This is the first time Secretary Jewell will be addressing tribal leaders attending an NCAI Conference. Please join our Livestream broadcast at 9:30 a.m. Pacific Time by visiting http://youtu.be/mUQ2v1HIDLM.

Also, please follow NCAI on Twitter @NCAI1944 using hash tags #MYNCAI

NCAI Contact Information: Sarah Beccio, Communications Associate, sbeccio@ncai.org

Founded in 1944, the National Congress of American Indians is the oldest, largest and most representative American Indian and Alaska Native organization in the country. NCAI advocates on behalf of tribal governments, promoting strong tribal-federal government-to-government policies, and promoting a better understanding among the general public regarding American Indian and Alaska Native governments, people and rights.

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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – As part of President Obama’s commitment to empowering American Indian tribal nations and strengthening their economies, today Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar and Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs Kevin K. Washburn joined Pueblo of Sandia Governor Victor Montoya to approve one of the first tribal regulations in the nation issued under the newly enacted Helping Expedite and Advance Responsible Tribal Homeownership Act (HEARTH Act).

The Act, originally introduced by then-Representative Martin Heinrich (NM-1st District), restores the authority of federally recognized Indian tribes to control the leasing of tribal lands, thereby promoting tribal self-determination and spurring economic development.

“Today’s action is an historic step forward, not only for the Pueblo of Sandia, but for all of Indian Country,” said Salazar. “With these approved leasing regulations, the Pueblo will have the authority to decide how they want to do business on their lands – which is as it should be. I applaud the Pueblo of Sandia for their early leadership and look forward to working with tribes across the nation to approve leasing regulations and to encourage economic development on Indian lands, generating investment, new jobs and revenues.”
The signing ceremony took place at the Pueblo of Sandia’s tribal council offices in the foothills of the Sandia Mountains, just north of the City of Albuquerque. The reservation consists of approximately 40 square miles.

“Today's adoption of these tribal leasing regulations under the HEARTH Act will allow the Pueblo to be more responsive to leasing proposals and opportunities, and to directly regulate the leasing of our lands, furthering the fundamental goals of maintaining tribal sovereignty and achieving tribal self-determination and self-sufficiency,” said Governor Montoya on behalf of the Pueblo of Sandia. "Under the direction of our Tribal Council, we have established a successful record of business management and economic development, and are able to assess opportunities and proposals for the leasing of our lands. We also have developed strong environmental regulatory and land management capabilities. The Pueblo is ready, willing and able to relieve the federal government of some of its regulatory burden over the leasing of tribal lands, and to assume direct regulatory authority and responsibility over the leasing of our lands.”

President Obama signed the HEARTH Act into law in July 2012. Under the law, federally recognized tribal governments can develop and implement their own regulations authorizing long-term leasing of Indian lands for residential, business and other purposes. Upon one-time approval of these tribal regulations by the Secretary of the Interior, tribes will have the authority to process land leases without Bureau of Indian Affairs approval. This authority will greatly expedite the time it takes to approve leases for homes and small businesses in Indian Country.

“A hallmark of self-determination is that it should be the tribe that decides how its lands may be used for the good of its members, and that is what the HEARTH Act means to accomplish,” said Assistant Secretary Washburn. “I congratulate Governor Montoya and council members on the successful development of their tribe’s surface leasing regulations. It is an action that will help Sandia secure the well-being of its future generations and support the self-reliance for which the Pueblo people always have been known.”

The Pueblo of Sandia's regulations are only the second in the nation to be approved, after the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria, located in California, whose regulations were approved last month. The Sandia Pueblo expects to use the regulations to promote leasing on Pueblo Indian Land for economic development and other purposes.

“One of my proudest moments in Congress was when the HEARTH Act was signed into law,” said Senator Martin Heinrich (D-NM). “We’ve opened doors to homeownership for tribal families in New Mexico and across the country. The HEARTH Act will help jumpstart economic development in Indian Country by making it easier for Native families to buy and build houses and open businesses in the communities where their families have lived for generations. I join Secretary Salazar in applauding the Pueblo of Sandia for their early leadership and look forward to continue working with our Indian tribes to make New Mexico a great place to raise a family.”

The HEARTH Act complements a parallel effort at Interior to overhaul the BIA regulations governing its process for approving the surface leases on lands the federal government holds in trust for Indian tribes and individuals. As trustee, Interior manages about 56 million surface acres in Indian Country. The regulations were finalized in December 2012, and represent the most comprehensive reform of the leasing regulations in more than half a century. The final regulations streamline the leasing approval process on federal Indian lands, thereby spurring increased homeownership, and expediting business and commercial development, including renewable energy projects.

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