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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2002

The Department of Interior is moving ahead with its reorganization of the Bureau of Indian Affairs despite mounting objections in Indian Country.

The department received Congressional approval to reprogram $5 million for the effort. The Senate gave its approval December 18 while the House signed off on December 10.

During a two-day meeting with department officials this week, tribal leaders weren't told of the House approval. On Tuesday, they agreed to oppose the reprogramming request pending further consultation.

Get the Story:
Interior Gets OK for Department Overhaul (AP 12/19)
Congress OKs plan to reorganize tribal affairs bureau (The Lincoln Journal Star 12/20)

Today on Indianz.Com:
DOI kept approval from tribes (12/20)

Relevant Documents:
Reprogramming Letter to Congress (December 4, 2002) | National Congress of American Indians Press Release (December 17, 2002)

Reorganization Documents:
New BIA-OST Organization | New BIA Organization | Old BIA Organization

Relevant Links:
Indian Trust, Department of Interior - http://www.doi.gov/indiantrust
Indian Trust: Cobell v. Norton - http://www.indiantrust.com
Cobell v. Norton, Department of Justice - http://www.usdoj.gov/civil/cases/cobell/index.htm
Trust Reform, NCAI - http://www.ncai.org/main/pages/
issues/other_issues/trust_reform.asp

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