The Bureau of Indian Affair’s attempt to quietly change the rules regarding federal recognition of Native American tribes is troubling.

Not because of the intent to streamline the process to make it easier to achieve federal recognition, but rather because of the way in which the BIA is going about it. Despite its claim that it wishes to have a “fair, efficient and transparent” process, there wasn’t very much transparency in announcing the plan.

Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs Kevin Washburn, in a press release issued last month, is quoted as saying the agency is “starting with an open mind and no fixed agenda,” yet the intent to make it easier to gain federal recognition seems quite clear in the so-called “draft discussion” of proposed changes.