CAMPBELL INTRODUCES INDIAN AGENCY REFORM BILLS
Washington - Today Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell (R- CO) introduced
four bills to address long-standing problems in the administration of the
Indian programs in the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and the Indian Health
Service (IHS).
The bills would reform the BIA's Indian Reservation Roads program; authorize
Indian tribes to consolidate existing alcohol and substance abuse programs;
reform the process used by the Federal government to recognize tribes; and
expand tribal contracting in the management of Federal lands. "Many of the
problems faced by Indian people originate with the bureaucracy in Washington
and these bills will provide needed reforms in Federal recognition; Indian
roads; and alcohol, substance abuse and mental health", said Campbell,
Chairman of the Committee on Indian Affairs.
The bills - which will be referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs for its
consideration - are the "Indian Tribal Surface Transportation Improvement Act
fo 2003"; the "Indian Tribal Contracting and Federal Lands Management
Demonstration Act of 2003"; the "Native American Alcohol and Substance Abuse
Program Consolidation Act of 2003"; and the "Federal Acknowledgment Process
Reform Act of 2003".
"These bills have received solid Tribal support in years past and I am hopeful
that by working with the Tribes and the Administration, these bills can be
quickly enacted and these reforms put in place", added Campbell, the lone
American Indian in the Senate and one of the 44 Council Chiefs of the
Northern Cheyenne Tribe of Montana.
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CONTACT: Paul Moorehead 202-224-2251
February 3, 2003