OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY |
Contact:Nedra
Darling, Indian Affairs
202-219-4152 |
For Immediate Release: May 19, 2003 |
Carrie Moore,
OST
202-208-3460 |
|
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Special
Trustee for American Indians Ross O. Swimmer and Acting Assistant Secretary
- Indian Affairs Aurene M. Martin will testify before the Senate Committee
on Indian Affairs at its May 21 hearing on the reorganization of the
Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA). By reorganizing the agencies that manage
Indian trust funds and assets, the Interior Department seeks to bring
increased accountability and efficiency into the trust management area. In 2002, the Department and
the Federally-recognized tribes undertook an ambitious effort to change
the way the Assistant Secretary - Indian Affairs and the Special Trustee
for American Indians deliver BIA trust and non-trust services to tribes,
tribal service populations and trust beneficiaries. |