[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