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Strategic Objective

Support self-governance and self-determination

Strategic Objective

Support self-governance and self-determination.

Lead Office: BIA

Themes:

Community and Regional Development

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Overview
Progress Update

Overview

Self-governance and self-determination strengthen the government-to-government relationship between the Federal Government and tribal nations. Together, these programs support and strengthen Tribal self-governance, sovereignty, self-determination, and self-reliance, applying local expertise and knowledge to managing tribal functions and services.

Progress Update

This strategy focuses on the accountability aspects of supporting tribal self-governance and self-determination programs. Tribes operating under self-governance and self-determination demonstrate financial statement accuracy and compliance with generally accepted accounting principles by obtaining “clean audits.” In recent years, performance on tribal audits has fluctuated between 70 and 80 percent.

In FY 2015, the Department exceeded its targets for both clean audits and timeliness of management actions on audits and recommendations. Increased performance resulted from training new tribes and employees, increased communication with tribal points of contact for resolving audit findings, and an additional 0.5 FTE at the Department dedicated to managing audits and contract support for self-governance tribes.

Self-Determination: Under a self-determination contract, a tribe contracts with BIA to take over operation of a program formerly operated by BIA. The funds BIA previously used to run the program transfer to the tribe. Self-determination typically is a program-by-program decision. The Indian Self-Determination Program within BIA works to further American Indian Tribes’ exercise of Self-Determination and conducts oversight of self-determination contracts and grants.

Self-Governance: Under a self-governance compact, a tribe takes over most or all of BIA operations affecting that tribe. The Office of Self-Governance (OSG) implements the Tribal Self Governance Act of 1994 by developing and implementing regulations, policies, and guidance in support of self-governance initiatives. OSG advocates for the transfer of Federal programmatic authorities and resources to tribal governments and supports Tribal sovereignty and an expanded role in the operation of Indian programs. The program work includes negotiating annual funding agreements with eligible tribes and consortia, coordinating budget and performance data collection from self-governance tribes, and resolving issues identified in financial and program audits of self-governance operations.

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Strategic Goals

Strategic Goal:

Improve the Quality of Life in Tribal and Native Communities

Statement:

With self-governance and self-determination as our North Star, the Department will work to restore tribal homelands, settle Indian water rights claims, increase renewable and conventional energy on Indian lands, expand educational opportunities for Native American youth, and protect natural and cultural resources in the face of climate change.

Strategic Objectives

Support self-governance and self-determination

Statement:

Support self-governance and self-determination.

Description:

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Create Economic Opportunity (Tribal Nations)

Statement:

Create economic opportunity.

Description:

The Department assists American Indian and Alaska Native communities in developing capabilities needed to strengthen their communities and maintain economic self-sufficiency. Efforts such as reducing fractionation of Indian lands and developing conservation and resource management plans help Tribes maximize economic benefits of their lands (for example, energy, timber, agricultural, and grazing development) in a way that protects Tribal natural resources. Additionally, securing unsubsidized employment reduces dependency on Federal subsidized programs such as childcare assistance, food stamps, and welfare.

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Strengthen Indian Education

Statement:

Strengthen Indian education.

Description:

This strategy initiative includes two components: 1) providing quality education opportunities starting in early childhood in accordance with tribally identified strategies and needs; and 2) providing safe, functional, energy efficient, and universally accessible facilities to enhance the learning environment. Tribal communities need an educated citizenry to lead their governments, develop reservation economies, contribute to the social well-being of the community, and sustain Indian cultures.

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Make Communities Safer

Statement:

Make communities safer.

Description:

The Administration’s commitment to making Indian communities safer includes collaborative initiatives such as: strengthening law enforcement; construction, renovation, and maintenance of facilities, roads, and bridges; supporting Indian Affairs mission critical functions and facilities and protection of the public, employees, information technologies, and vital records in case of emergency; and ensuring the welfare and safety of Indian children.

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FY 14-15 Priority Goal: Safer and More Resilient Communities in Indian Country

Statement:

Safer and More Resilient Communities in Indian Country.

By September 30, 2015, reduce rates of repeat incarceration in three target tribal communities by 3% through a comprehensive “alternatives to incarceration” strategy that seeks to address underlying causes of repeat offenses, including substance abuse and social service needs through tribal and federal partnerships.

Description:

Problem or opportunity being addressed

The rate of recidivism nationally among Native Americans is estimated to be 33% higher than non-native populations, according to one Department of Justice report. Locally recidivism creates a huge drain on already overtaxed economies as well as overcrowded and dilapidated detention facilities.Individuals who repeat offend and are incarcerated, fill court dockets, and in many cases take primary bread winners out of the home.

Relationship to agency strategic goals and objectives

This goal and associated activities will facilitate the ability of Interior to realize one of the President’s key objectives and a key priority for the Secretary of the Interior. The effort is in direct support of the goal to re-establish the relationship with Indian Tribes and support the Strategic Goal to “Advance Government-to-Government Relationships with Indian Nations and Honor Commitments to Insular Areas.”

Key barriers and challenges

Conducting a focused program in highly geographically dispersed communities, with high levels of crime, disparate levels of staffing and training, and equipment have proven to be significant challenges. Cooperation and support from Federal, State and tribal participants is a key requirement. Tribal justice program commitment, differences and gaps in technology and program availability and participation is a key issue. Funding increases for these program components has been aligned with the priority goal making this more feasible.

Other key challenges may include but not limited to:

Record access of Tribal Correctional facilities
Availability of funding for components of the program that are not under Interior’s jurisdiction, e.g. detention facilities
Availability of substance abuse treatment programs – social program budgets, staffing and capacity have not kept pace with the increased law enforcement effort
Sentencing resources and alternative program availability.

Stakeholder Engagement

The Department conducts consultation with tribal leaders and other stakeholders during the development of the budget and prior to the development and implementation of the Priority Goal on their respective reservations. This ensures a high level of understanding and commitment is received from all parties.

The Department has already begun to assist the Tribes in developing alternative to incarceration strategic plans based on the available resources in the community and or resources that stakeholders can provide to assist.

The Department assists the tribal programs with developing and coordinating stakeholder and community meetings throughout the initiative to discuss progress and any barriers or issues that may negatively affect meeting the goal.

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