Overview
The BIA Great Plains Region provides funding and support to 16 federally recognized Indian tribes located in the states of North Dakota, South Dakota, and Nebraska. Tribes in this region encompass over 6 million acres. The Region’s tribes have sustained various programs that the federal government traditionally provided; this is an excellent example of the tribe’s self-determination, cultural, political and subsistence needs including such programs Job Placement Training, Economic Development, Johnson O’Malley Assistance, Tribal Scholarships, Tribal Adult Education, Social Services, Domestic Violence, Welfare Assistance, Indian Child Welfare, Tribal Courts, Natural Resources, Agriculture, Water Resources, Wildlife and Parks, Housing Improvement and Road Maintenance. As a result of the Tribe’s collective efforts with the states, other federal agencies, various universities, tribal colleges and tribal organizations, these programs have served as role models for collaborative work.
The Great Plains Regional Office (GPRO) is located in Aberdeen, South Dakota; the Regional Director is located on the 5th floor of the Federal Building. The Region has 12 Agencies; 7 in South Dakota, 4 North Dakota, and 1 in Nebraska, and the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe, which provide program services to their tribal members through a self-determination contract. Also located within the Region are 6 BIE Education Line Offices, 7 Tribally Controlled Community Colleges, and 6 Tribal Organizations.
A photo ID will be required to enter the Federal Building.
Office of the Regional Director
The Regional Director is the Region’s Senior Official with delegated authority from the Secretary through the Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs (AS/IA) in upholding and maintaining the government-to-government relationship with tribes and fulfills the Federal government’s trust responsibilities. The program and services outside the Regional Director authority are Indian Education and Law Enforcement, now referred to as the Office of Justice Services.
The Regional Director reports to the BIA Deputy Director Field Operations, located in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The Great Plains Regional Office senior managers include a Deputy Regional Director for Trust Services and Deputy Regional Director for Indian Services.
Here is map of the Regions.
