The Oglala Sioux Tribe and the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, both of South Dakota, are opposing the reorganization of education programs at the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

The BIA is planning to restructure the Office of Indian Education Programs by adding more management layers. The tribes say it is coming at the expense of line officers who are located at the reservation level.

The fiscal year 2007 budget reduces funding for education programs but adds money for the bureaucratic shuffle. "It is going to cost a lot of money - $17 million for the restructuring," Oglala Sioux President Cecelia Fire Thunder told The Rapid City Journal.

Tribal leaders are meeting with the state's Congressional delegation and hope to meet with Interior Secretary to discuss the changes.

Get the Story:
Move to restructure BIA faces resistance (The Rapid City Journal 2/17)

FY2007 BIA Budget Request:
Bureau of Indian Affairs Budget | Departmental Offices [includes Office of Special Trustee]

FY2007 DOI Budget Documents:
Fulfilling Trust Responsibilities | Serving Tribal Communities | Protecting Lives, Resources, and Property [includes Safety in Indian Country] | Budget in Brief | Interior Department [from the White House]

Relevant Links:
Office of Indian Education Programs, BIA - http://www.oiep.bia.edu

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