Office of the Assistant Secretary - Indian Affairs

For Immediate Release: June 25, 2003	Contact: Nedra Darling, Indian Affairs
	202-219-4152

 

MEDIA ADVISORY

INTERIOR TO BRIEF ROCKY MOUNTAIN, SOUTHERN PLAINS
REGIONAL EMPLOYEES ON BIA/OST REORGANIZATION
Sessions to be Held June 27 in Billings, Mont. and Anadarko, Okla.,
Conclude Month-Long Schedule

WASHINGTON, D.C. - On June 27, 2003, the Department of the Interior (DOI) will conclude its month-long schedule of presentations to employees of the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and the Office of the Special Trustee for American Indians (OST) on the reorganization of both agencies with briefings at the Rocky Mountain Regional Office in Billings, Mont. and the Southern Plains Regional Office in Anadarko, Okla., the last of the BIA's 12 regional offices to be visited. The Department is seeking to increase accountability and efficiency in its trust management functions by reorganizing the agencies that manage Indian trust funds and assets. The presentations began on June 3 and were held throughout the month at the regional offices and other locations around the country.

Employees will be briefed on the Department's plan for reorganization of the BIA and OST, and on the Comprehensive Trust Management Plan (CTMP) at morning sessions on Friday. The CTMP describes how the new BIA and OST organizational structures will improve the delivery of trust services when the reorganization is completed. Tribal leaders from each region will also be briefed on the reorganization effort in subsequent sessions.

In 2002, the Department and the Tribes together undertook an ambitious effort to change the way the BIA and OST deliver trust and non-trust services to Tribes, tribal service populations and trust beneficiaries. The Plan is based on agreements reached with the Joint Tribal Leaders/DOI Task Force established by Secretary Gale Norton to examine and recommend proposals for improving service delivery to recipients and beneficiaries.

WHO:         U.S. Department of the Interior

WHAT:       Departmental presentations on the reorganization of the BIA and OST to
                    Rocky Mountain Region and Southern Plains Region Federal employees.

WHEN:       Rocky Mountain Region: Friday, June 27, 2003 (all start times are local time):
                    Billings, Montana
                    8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.: Presentation of BIA/OST reorganization
                    10:00 a.m.: DOI officials' availability for press interviews and photo ops

                    Southern Plains Region: Friday, June 27, 2003 (all start times are local time):
                    Anadarko, Oklahoma
                    8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.: Presentation of BIA/OST reorganization
                    10:00 a.m.: DOI officials' availability for press interviews and photo ops

WHERE:    Rocky Mountain Region: Billings (June 27)
                    Billings Sheraton Hotel, 27 North 27th Street, Billings, Mont., (406) 252-7400.

                    Southern Plains Region: Anadarko (June 27)
                    Riverside Indian School Gymnasium, Riverside Campus, 1 Mile North of City of
                    Anadarko, Highway 281, Anadarko, Okla., (405) 247-6673.

CREDENTIALS: Press registration will be provided. Please bring your sanctioned media credentials and if possible, wear on your shirt collar or around your neck for easy viewing. This will assist our staff. Press seating will be provided.

-DOI-

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