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APRIL 30, 2001

The New London Day focuses on a 1983 report on which Oklahoma Secretary of Transporation Neal McCaleb collaborated during the Reagan administration which advocated for an end to the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

McCaleb was a member of Reagan's Commission on Indian Reservation Economies. Co-Chaired by former Cherokee Nation Chief Principal Chief Ross Swimmer, the commission's sole responsibility was making recommendations to the President about Indian policy.

The result of their work was a November 1983 report which contained a number of controversial provisions. Tribal leaders throughout Indian Country called an emergency meeting to respond to it and in January 1984 voted to condemn it.

Reagan's Indian policies, including funding cuts, in general were not welcome by tribes.

In 1985, Swimmer was named by Reagan to head the BIA. When he was sworn in, he said he no longer said he supported getting rid of the BIA, but that it was always a goal to consider for the future.

An Oklahoma Department of Transporation spokesperson said McCaleb is proud of the report.

The commisssion was disbanded once it finished its report.

Get the Story:
Likely BIA head critical of agency in 1983 report (The New London Day 4/28)

Only on Indianz.Com:
Dirty Tricksin BIA selection (4/20)
In the Hoop: Coverage of Neal McCaleb (4/19)

Quick Bio:
Neal McCaleb: Biographical Sketch (4/18)

Statements, Announcements on McCaleb:
Neal McCaleb Accepts Nomination (4/17)
Gale Norton on Neal McCaleb (4/17)
Chickasaw Gov. Anoatubby on Neal McCaleb (4/17)
Oklahoma Gov. Keating on Neal McCaleb (4/17)
President Bush's Announcement (4/17)

Relevant Links:
Oklahoma Department of Transportation - http://www.okladot.state.ok.us/indxodotg.htm

Related Stories:
The Day recaps Neal McCaleb (4/25)
Oklahoma: The McCaleb Strikes Back (4/23)
McCaleb unknown among Calif. leaders (4/23)
Timing of McCaleb charges questioned (4/20)
McCaleb gets good reviews in Conn. (4/19)
Plains gives mixed reviews to McCaleb (4/19)
McCaleb named to Indian Affairs post (4/18)
Tribal leaders have advice for McCaleb (4/18)
Reagan returns with new administration (4/18)
Okla. tribes remember McCaleb (4/18)