Plains tribes skeptical of BIA modernization talks

Monday, September 24, 2007  

Tribal leaders in North and South Dakota are skeptical of the Bureau of Indian Affairs' modernization initiative.

Ron His Horse Is Thunder, the chairman of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, said tribes want to improve the BIA. But they can't do much without information about the agency's plans.

The BIA has been meeting with tribes all month to discuss staffing, technology and other issues that will affect how services are delivered to tribes and Native Americans. The last meeting takes place on Friday in South Dakota.

In advance of the meeting, assistant secretary Carl Artman was supposed to attend the United Tribes Intertribal Summit earlier this month. But he was unable to attend due to other business.

Get the Story:
Plains tribes concerned over planned BIA reshuffle (Indian Country Today 9/24)

Relevant Documents:
Modernization Dialogue (September 2007)

Relevant Links:
Bureau of Indian Affairs - http://www.doi.gov/bureau-indian-affairs.html

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