Bureau of Indian Affairs

Contact: Rex Hackler (202)208-6087

These findings came today as the Department of Interior released two reports, The Tribal Priority Allocation Study (TPA) and a report requested by Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs Kevin Gover from the National Academy of Public Administration. Secretary of the Interior Bruce Babbitt said, "These reports show what many in Indian communities have known for quite some time. There are neither the resources or the manpower to reach the goal of Tribal governments practicing true self-determination." An exhaustive study of the Tribal Priority Allocations undertaken by the Bureau of Indian Affairs and a workgroup of Tribal leaders shows the base funding for Tribes is inadequate to meet the needs of most Tribal governments. "The Tribes simply are not receiving the resources necessary to perform the essential functions of government in most cases, and that needs to be addressed adequately and quickly," said Babbitt, "The policy of the United States is to assist the Tribes in developing strong, stable tribal governments, and the time has come for this government to back up these statements with the resources we have told them we expect." The TPA report was prepared pursuant to DOI's FY 1999 Appropriation Act. The BIA and Tribal leaders workgroup found that the level of funding across the board for all tribes was woefully short. "There is an impression that most tribes have become rich from gaming proceeds, but the facts do not bear this out," stated Assistant Secretary Gover. "Instead, the tribes need more money to accomplish the things other governments take for granted. This is going to mean an increase of funding, and we will work with the Congress to accomplish this."

The Department also released the findings of a study of BIA management and administration by the National Academy of Public Administrators. The NAPA report found the budget cuts and huge reduction in force of the BIA in 1996 have caused the agency to be unable to carry out basic planning and managerial functions. The report states the Bureau of Indian Affairs is understaffed to meet its complicated mission. "This is a case of the Congress going past cutting the fat out, and going all the way to the bone", said Secretary Babbitt. "The BIA has a complicated mission, and this report states the BIA needs more people to accomplish its mission. The people of the BIA are competent and well qualified to do what needs to be done, and adding the personnel is the first step. I believe Congress will see that to reach the goals it has set for the Bureau to help the tribes move into the next century, it is necessary to provide the people who can do the job." The NAPA report was requested by Assistant Secretary Gover. "Kevin Gover took this position with the intent of making a 1000 little changes to make the BIA work better." Said Babbitt. "This report and its upcoming implementation show this administration is serious about leaving this Bureau and Indian country in better shape than how we found it." Gover says he found the report encouraging in some respects and difficult in others. "It was not a surprise that NAPA found our people strong, qualified and committed." Gover said. "But the report also identified many aspects where the BIA can do better." The Department of the Interior intends to work with the National Academy of Public Administrators to assist in the implementation of the plan. "We intend to work with NAPA and the Congress on implementing the recommendations of the study. We intend to work closely with all parties to make the BIA a more efficient, stronger agency." Gover said. "The tribes deserve a strong, functional Bureau of Indian Affairs, and the implementation of these recommendations will be a large step in the right direction."