OPA

Office of Public Affairs

Dear Tribal Leader Letter: BIE Draft Policies on Certificate of Completion

Dates: April 07, 2021 10:45pm to 10:45pm

Dear Tribal Leader:

On March 2, 2021, the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) hosted a Tribal consultation regarding two draft BIE policies: (I) Draft Progress and Promotion Policy, and (2) Draft Certificate of Completion Policy. The BIE is now planning an additional Tribal consultation session and would like to invite you to participate.

The American Rescue Plan: How It Helps American Indians and Alaska Natives

The American Rescue Plan, signed into law by President Biden on March 11, 2021, invests $1.75 billion in American Indian and Alaska Native government programs administered under the oversight of the Department of the Interior’s Assistant Secretary – Indian Affairs (AS-IA).

The American Rescue Plan (ARP) makes changes to laws and provides emergency supplemental funding to respond to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

About the ARP Act

For the first time ever, Congress has given the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Indian Health Services Urban Indian Health Programs and Native Hawaiian Health Centers equal access to federal Medicaid reimbursement resources to support the health of tribal communities and members.

In another first, Congress also provided tribes with direct, equal access to the Department of Treasury’s State Small Business Credit Initiative Program to support tribal business.

The American Rescue Plan authorizes $900 million in funding for AS-IA and the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) to support a wide range of COVID-19 response activities, including:

  • $772.5 million for tribal government services, public safety and justice, social services, child welfare assistance, and other related expenses
  • $100 million for tribal housing improvement
  • $20 million to provide and deliver potable water; and
  • $7.5 million for related federal administrative costs and oversight

In addition, $850 million will go to the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) for BIE-operated schools, tribally controlled schools, and tribal colleges and universities to support quality education delivery while protecting students, teachers, and communities from COVID-19.

The Department of the Interior and Indian Affairs will consult with the leaders of federally recognized tribal governments to discuss how the American Rescue Plan can be best implemented to serve the needs of tribal communities.

Additional Information

Contact Us

Office of the Assistant Secretary

1849 C Street, N.W., MS-4004-MIB
Washington, DC 20240

Open 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m., Monday–Friday.

DTTL: Developing Tribal Renewable and Conventional Energy Resources

Dates: March 16, 2021 4:30pm to 4:30pm

On January 27, 2021, President Biden issued Executive Order (E.O.) 14008, Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad. He stated that, “[t]he United States and the world face a profound climate crisis. We have a narrow moment to pursue action at home and abroad in order to avoid the most catastrophic impacts of that crisis and to seize the opportunity to that tackling climate change presents.” See E.O. 14008, Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad.

Bureau of Trust Funds Administration

Dates: January 20, 2021 7:00pm to 7:00pm

We Excel, Native America Prospers. We manage the financial assets of American Indians held in trust by the Department of the Interior. We disburse more than $1 billion annually and have more than $5 billion under active day-to-day management and investment on behalf of Tribes and individuals.