[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 95 (Friday, May 16, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27064-27065]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-12926]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Indian Affairs
Notice of Schedule of Regional Consultation Sessions on Tribal
Shares
Introduction
The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) is authorized by the Indian
Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act, as amended, Public Law
93-638, to implement a process whereby Tribes can contract and compact
functions of the BIA. Public Law 103-413 expanded the scope of Public
Law 93-638 by providing Tribes the option to take their ``share'' from
BIA administrative and program accounts, based on savings due to
contracting and also based on additional administrative functions being
assumed by Tribes, without regard to organizational level. This process
is known as the ``Tribal Shares Process.''
The BIA has been working for the past two years to define a
``tribal shares determination process'' to identify which functions
currently performed by the BIA can be assumed by Tribes. A federal
workgroup was formed in April 1995 to identify which BIA functions were
``inherently federal,'' and which BIA functions were available for
contracting and compacting. The workgroup submitted their work product
to the Area Offices for review and tribal consultation.
A majority of tribal leaders did not agree with the BIA's work
product, and requested further consultation and establishment of a
Tribal Workgroup to conduct a similar review. A small tribal workgroup
was formed in July 1996, in consultation with the National Congress of
American Indians. The Workgroup reviewed the BIA's work product and
issued its findings recommendations for continuation of the effort to
define a tribal shares process. This workgroup, however, did not
continue in its advisory capacity, due to tribal dissatisfaction with
the lack of equal representation of self-governance, self-determination
and direct service Tribes.
In response to this dissatisfaction, the Deputy Commissioner formed
a more expanded, representative workgroup in September 1996. This
tribal workgroup is comprised of 24 tribal representatives; two from
each of the twelve BIA Areas. The workgroup has assisted the BIA in
reviewing and refining a list of inherently federal functions and non-
inherently federal functions of the BIA. This listing will be one of
many topics reviewed at the consultation sessions. The schedule for the
consultation sessions is listed below.
Summary
The BIA will be holding three regional consultation sessions on the
Tribal Shares Process during June and July 1997. The sessions are for
tribal consultation on the Tribal Shares Process. Tribes will have the
opportunity to review and provide comments on the BIA's identification
of inherently federal and non-inherently federal functions of the BIA.
Regional Consultation Sessions: The three regional consultation
sessions will accommodate all twelve Areas of the BIA. Billings,
Aberdeen, Eastern and Minneapolis Area tribes will attend Session 1, in
Bloomington, MN. The Juneau, Portland, and Sacramento Area tribes will
attend Session 2, in Seattle, WA. Phoenix, Albuquerque, Navajo,
Anadarko, and Muskogee Area tribes will attend Session 3, in Tempe, AZ.
Areas may hold additional Area-wide consultation sessions if
needed.
Dates and Locations
Session 1. June 17-18, 1997, Bloomington, MN. Days Inn Airport, 1901
Killebrew Drive, Bloomington, MN 55425. Telephone (612) 854-8400.
Session 2. June 24-25, 1997, Seattle, WA. Radisson Hotel Seattle
Airport, 17001, Pacific Highway South, Seattle, WA 98188. Telephone
(206) 244-6000.
[[Page 27065]]
Session 3. July 22-23, 1997, Tempe, AZ. Sheraton Tempe Mission Palms,
60 East 5th Street, Tempe, AZ 85281. Telephone (602) 894-1400, or (800)
547-8705.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information, contact
Shirley LaCourse, Bureau of Indian Affairs, at telephone (202) 208-
4172.
Conclusion
The consultation sessions are open to all interested parties.
Dated: May 12, 1997.
Hilda A. Manuel,
Deputy Commissioner of Indian Affairs.
[FR Doc. 97-12926 Filed 5-15-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-02-P
