Newspaper questions proposed changes to the federal recognition process at the Bureau of Indian Affairs:
The Bureau of Indian Affair’s attempt to quietly change the rules regarding federal recognition of Native American tribes is troubling.
Not because of the intent to streamline the process to make it easier to achieve federal recognition, but rather because of the way in which the BIA is going about it. Despite its claim that it wishes to have a “fair, efficient and transparent” process, there wasn’t very much transparency in announcing the plan.
Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs Kevin Washburn, in a press release issued last month, is quoted as saying the agency is “starting with an open mind and no fixed agenda,” yet the intent to make it easier to gain federal recognition seems quite clear in the so-called “draft discussion” of proposed changes.
Get the Story:
Our View: BIA should be more open with rule change
(The Norwich Bulletin 7/15)
Federal Register Notice:
Procedures
for Establishing That an American Indian Group Exists as an Indian Tribe
(June 26, 2013)
Relevant Documents:
Dear
Tribal Leaders Letter
Present
Version - 25 CFR Part 83 Procedures for Establishing that an American Indian
Group Exists as an Indian Tribe
Red
Lined Proposed Version - 25 CFR Part 83 Procedures for Establishing that
American Indian Group Exists as an Indian Tribe
Related Stories:
Tribal critics in
Connecticut question BIA recognition proposal (07/08)
BIA asks tribes about new
federal recognition regulations (06/27)
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