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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2001

Ever the benevolent one, Secretary of Interior Gale Norton has "offered" to meet with tribes and discuss a controversial reorganization of the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

Or so the Associated Press says.

During her address to an Indian energy summit in Denver, Colorado, Norton said she was announcing a formal consultation schedule to discuss stripping the BIA of its trust duties and handing them to another agency. Notice of the meetings was published in the Federal Register on Wednesday.

According to the document, one meeting would take place in Palm Springs, California. According to Norton, however, that meeting is now in San Diego.

This and other numerous mishaps since Norton told a federal judge about her plan under cover of darkness before informing tribes the next day, has dropped confidence in her abilities, say tribal leaders.

Get the Story:
Interior Boss Seeks Talks on Trust Fund (AP 12/7)
City talks set on trust plan for Indians (The Daily Oklahoman 12/7)
Tribes mull Norton's bid to talk (AP 12/7)

Today on Indianz.Com:
DOI Shutdown: 'We're Hurting Tribes' (12/7)
From the top, a gamble in trust (12/7)

Relevant Links:
Indian Trust, Department of Interior - http://indiantrust.doi.gov
Office of the Special Trustee - http://www.ost.doi.gov
Trust Management Improvement Project - http://www.doi.gov/bia/trust/tmip.htm
Indian Trust: Cobell v. Norton - http://www.indiantrust.com

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