White House Launches Website for Native Americans

The White House recently unveiled, Winning the Future: President Obama and the Native American Community, a website aimed at helping navigate the numerous federal agencies and policies related to Native Americans. Features include a resources page that lists federal offices  that are responsible for serving Indian Country as well as the option to sign up for email updates. See the White House blog post announcing the new site.

Senate Hearing on The Indian Reorganization Act

On Thursday, June 23, the US Senate Committee on Indian Affairs will be holding an oversight hearing on ”The Indian Reorganization Act - 75 Years Later: Renewing our Commitment to Restore Tribal Homelands and Promote Self-Determination." The webcast will be available from the committee website at that time.

Seeking Comments on Sacred Sites Procedure

The USDA Office of Tribal Relations and the US Forest Service recently released a draft report related to Sacred Sites policy and language. This draft report incorporates recommendations received during tribal listening sessions held between November 2010 and April 2011. Currently, the Forest Service is soliciting comments on the draft report. Comments should be submitted by September 2011, and the final report to the Secretary of the USDA is scheduled to be completed by November 2011.

New National Tribal Toxics Committee to Advise EPA

The National Tribal Environmental Council and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have partnered to form the National Tribal Toxics Committee (NTTC). This tribal committee will serve to advise the EPA on issues including how to best serve Indian Country with its chemical management and pollution prevention programs as well as how to address chemical exposures that may be unique to tribes and their members.

For more information see the EPA news release or the official page of the NTTC.