Obama's budget transfers Indian Arts and Crafts Board to BIA

Thursday, April 11, 2013  

The Bureau of Indian Affairs won't be seeing much of an increase under the fiscal year 2014 budget that President Barack Obama released on Wednesday but the agency will be gaining some new authority.

The budget transfers the Indian Arts and Crafts Board to the BIA. The move comes with $1.279 million in funding and 45 full-time employees.

"Consolidation of the Indian Arts and Crafts Board within Indian Affairs provides opportunities to improve the oversight and execution of Indian cultural activities," a budget document for the Interior Department states.

The Indian Arts and Crafts Board is charged with overseeing the Indian Arts and Crafts Act. The law requires items that are labeled or marketed as "Indian" to be produced by a member of a federally or state recognized tribe, or by an artisan that is certified by a tribe.

Interior Department FY2014 Budget Documents:
Strengthening Tribal Nations | Indian Affairs | Budget in Brief

Obama seeks small increase in Bureau of Indian Affairs budget (4/10)