Bureau of Indian Affairs Organization. Hearings Before the United States Senate Select Committee on Indian Affairs, 95th Congress, 1st Session on Oversight on the Organization of the Bureau of Indian Affairs (July 13 and August 1, 1977).

N

355

Administration; Administrative Organization; Agency Role; American Indians; Budgeting; Bureaucracy; Evaluation; Federal Government; Federal Indian Relationship; Hearings; Interviews; Legislators; Organization; Program Evaluation; Research; Role Conflict; Self Determination; Systems Analysis; Tribes

Problems in the administration and management of Indian affairs were identified in two hearings held during the summer of 1977. The July 13 meeting featured non-governmental witnesses; much of the discussion focused on findings of a management study of the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) initiated by the American Indian Policy Review Commission. The study made 23 specific recommendations for improving management activities in the areas of budget process, personnel management, and management information; it was suggested that BIA area offices be reduced and that increased emphasis be placed on agency level service delivery. Two witnesses from Indian organizations appeared to suggest needed changes in the BIA; another witness discussed ways to improve legal enforcement and implementation of the federal trust responsibility to Indians. The August 1 meeting featured testimony from governmental witnesses as officials from the Department of Interior and BIA appeared to present their views on the changes suggested by the management study. This document features the hearing proceedings as well as both informal and prepared statements of the witnesses. Also included are a statement prepared by the BIA responding to questions on its organization, a study of administrative conflicts of interest in the protection of Indian natural resources, and the report of the BIA management study. (DS)

1979

ED164223