Tribes endorse trust reform proposals

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5, 2002

The joint federal-tribal task force on trust reform has recommended three options for reorganizing Indian trust duties at the Department of Interior.

The proposals endorse the creation of a top official to oversee trust duties throughout the department. They also call for the Bureau of Indian Affairs to be strengthened.

The task force, over which the department has full veto power, also recommended that the Office of the Special Trustee be phased out. The suggestion was reported last week by Indianz.Com.

The task force is asking Indian Country to comment on the proposals. There will be a 60-day comment period, to be announced in the Federal Register, starting this month.

Tribes should be receiving a packet of information in the coming days. Individual Indian account holders will not.

Secretary Gale Norton will participate in a consultation session at the National Congress of American Indians mid-year session on June 19. The meeting, which is open to all tribes, takes place in Bismarck, N.D.

Get the Story:
Norton Accepts Proposals on Indian Trust Reorganization (The Washington Post 6/5)
Norton drops U.S. plan for trust revamp (The Denver Post 6/5)
Tribes Seek Better Money Management (AP 6/4)

Relevant Documents:
Task Force Report | Tentative Schedule | Task Force Members | TRIBAL LEADERS / DOI TRUST REFORM TASK FORCE UPDATE

Relevant Links:
Indian Trust, Department of Interior - http://www.doi.gov/indiantrust
Indian Trust: Cobell v. Norton - http://www.indiantrust.com
Trust Reform, NCAI - http://130.94.214.68/main/pages/
issues/other_issues/trust_reform.asp

Related Stories:
Trust reform set for round two (5/30)