The Bureau of Indian Affairs wrongfully fired 20 Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute employees and owes them about $1 million in back pay, an arbitrator ruled last week.

The BIA made the layoffs in March 2005, citing budget restraints. But the arbitrator found that SIPI rehired people for the same positions at higher salaries.

SIPI has been the subject of a BIA investigation, according to news reports. Results have not been made public.

The tribal college is based in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Get the Story:
Arbitrator says laid off SIPI employees should be reinstated (AP 9/18)
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BIA Ordered to Reinstate SIPI Staff (The Albuquerque Journal 9/16)

Relevant Links:
Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute - http://www.sipi.bia.edu

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