BIA closing concerns, reshaping federal trust, and new Interior Secretary
VNN Weekly Digest March 3 - March 9
Here’s a look at the week’s top stories:
BIA office closure in Seminole raises concern over access to services for Tribal members
(SEMINOLE RESERVATION) The Bureau of Indian Affairs Wewoka agency office located in the Seminole Nation is one of 25 Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) offices that will not have its lease renewed.
Jared Huffman, a U.S. Representative from California shared a news release on February 28th with information about the closures.
“Closing these offices will further erode services like public safety, economic development, education, and housing assistance—services that Tribal Nations rely on for their well-being and self-determination,” said Huffman.
Standing Bear: BIA closures ‘meant to reshape trust relationship’
(OSAGE RESERVATION) After a list was released by U.S. House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Jared Huffman (D-Calif.) detailing the closing of nearly 30% of Bureau of Indian Affairs office space, Principal Chief Geoffrey Standing Bear has been cautioning every tribal leader to take stock of their federal funds because everything is at risk.
After a weekend of fielding calls from BIA Osage Agency employees, which is scheduled to close in September, Standing Bear spoke with BIA Regional Director Eddie Streater.
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From crime to cutting red tape, new Interior Secretary vows to work with Indian Country
(NATIONAL) Doug Burgum, the former Governor of North Dakota, was confirmed as the new Secretary of the Interior for the Trump administration on January 30th.
He vowed to make energy production a priority and said he respects tribal sovereignty and that the issue of missing and murdered Indigenous people is a tragedy.
WEATHER ACROSS AMERICA
(NATIONAL) (NATIONAL) Moderate to heavy rain across the Deep South and Southeast, much milder than normal conditions across northern tier states, and unsettled weather expected for the Pacific Northwest, southern California, and northern New England.
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