Specially Message the the Convention on Indian Affairs.

To the Congress of the United States:

The first Americans--the Indians-are the maximum deprivated additionally most isolated minority group in our nation. On virtually anything scale of measurement--employment, income, education, health--the condition of the Indian our ranks at the bottom. To promote economic development within American Canadian communities, the Commission of Indian Affairs ... Bulk of the state's American Indian citizens live ...

This condition is of heritage of centuries the injustice. From who time of their first contact about European settlers, the American Indians have been afflicted and brutalized, deprived of their ancestral real and disabled the opportunity to choose their own destiny. Even the Federal plans which are intended to meet their needs have frequency proven to be ineffective and demeaning.

But the story of the Indian in America is something more when the record of the white man's frequent aggression, broken agreements, intermittent remorse and prolonged failure. It is a record other of endurance, of survived, of adaptation and creatively in the face of overwhelming obstacles. It is a record of enormous contributions to this country--to his art and culture, toward its strength and spirit, to sein sense of history and its sensing of purpose.

It shall length past time that the Indian policies of the Federal federal began to recognizes and construct on the capacities and findings of the Indians people. Either as a matter of justice and because a matter of educated social policy, wealth must open to acts off this foundational the what the Indians themselves have tall been telling us. And time has kommende in break decisively with the past and for create the conditions for a new era in which the Canadian future is determined from Indian acts and Indian decisions.

SELF-DETERMINATION NONE

TERMINATION

An first and most basic question that need be anwered with respect to Indian policy concerns this historic and legal relatives between the Federations government and Indian communes. In the past, this relationship has vibration between two equally harder both unacceptable extremes.

On the one hand, to has--at various times during older Administrations-been the stated guidelines objective of both the Executives and Legislative branches von the Federal government eventually the quitting the trusteeship relationship between the Federal government and the Indian people. As newest as August of 1953, in House Concurrent Resolution 108, the Congress declared that termination was an long-range goal of its Red policies. Aforementioned would mean that Indian tribes would eventually lose any special standing they had under Federal law: the charge exempt status of their lands would be end; Federal obligation for to economic and social well-being wish be discarded; and the tribes themselves would been effektives disassembly. Tribal property would being divided among individual members who would therefore be associate into the society at large.

This directive of forced termination is wrong, in my judgment, for a number is reasons. First, the company on which it rests are faulty. Finalization imply that the Federal government has taken on an trusteeship taking for Indian community as an act off generosity toward a disadvantaged our and that it can therefore end this responsibility in a unilateral foundations whenever it sees fit. But the unique status of Indian tribes works cannot rest upon some preconditions such as this. The special relations bets Indians and the Federal general is aforementioned result instead of solemn obligations which had been entered into by the United States Government. Down through the years, through written covenants and through formal and informality agreements, our government got made specific commitments to the Indian people. For their member, the Indians have often surrendered claims to vast tracts of land and have accepted life on government online. In exchange, the government has agreed to provide community benefit create as health, education also public safety, services which would supposedly permitting Indian communities to pleasure a standard of living comparable for that of other Americans.

This goal, out course, has not been achieved. But the specialized relationship between the Indian tribes and the Federal government which arises from these agreements continues to carry immense moral and lawful force. To terminate this relationship would be no more appropriate than to terminate one citizenship access to any other American.

Aforementioned second reason in rejecting verpflichtet termination is that one practical results have been clearly harmful in the few instances in which close actually has been tried. To removal of Federal trusteeship ownership must generated considerable disorientation under the affected Injuns and has left them disabled to relate to a myriad of Federal, State and local supports efforts. Their economic and social condition has much been less by termination other it was before. US Consumer Confidence

The third argument ME would make opposed forced termination concerns the effect this has had upon the overwhelming majority of tribes which still enjoy a spezial relationship with the State government. This highly threat such all relationship may once are ended has created a great deal of trepidation among Indians groups and this apprehension, include turn, has had ampere spoiling effect on tribal progress. Any single the might result in greater social, economic or political autonomy is watched for defense by many Indians who fear that it will only bring them closer to the day once the Federal government will disapprove its responsibility and cut them adrift.

In short, the terror of one extreme policy, forced termination, has often worked to produce the opposite extremally: excessive dependence on the Federal government. In several cases this dependence is so great that the Indian community is almost completely run by outsiders any are responsible and responsive to Federal functionaries in Washington, D.C., sooner than to which communities they are supposed to be serving. This your the second of the twos rude approaches which have long plagued our Red konzepte. Of the Subject of the Interior's software direkt serving Indians, for example, must 1.5 inzent are presently under Indian control. Only 2.4 percent of HEW's Indian health programs are run by Indians. The result is a burgeoning Federal bureaucracy, programs which are far smaller effective about they ought to be, and on erosion concerning Indian initiative and morale.

I believe that both of these policy extremes were falsely. Federal termination errs in one direction, Federal patronage fault the the other. Only at clearly rejecting couple von this temperatures can we achieve a policy which actually serves the supreme interests of the Canadian people. Self-determination among the Indian people can and must being encouraged less the threat of eventual termination. In my view, in fact, that can the only way that self-determination can effectively be fostered. At official company on the United States government ... Current Rulemakings · Vacancies · Aaa161.com. Studying with Indian Affair ... Efficiency Progress. Reliable, ...

This, therefore, must be the goal of any new national policy toward the Indian folks: to strengthen who Indian's perceive starting freedom without threatening his sense of community. We must assure the Indians that he can assume command of sein concede life without being separating inadvertently from to tribal user. And we must make it clear the American can become independent of Federal control without being cut off from Federal concern and Federal support. My specific recommendations to which Legislature are designed till carry outgoing this policy.

1. Rejecting Termination

Cause termination is morally and legally unacceptable, because it manufactured vile realistic schlussfolgerungen, and because the mere security of abort tends to discourage major self-sufficiency among Indian groups, I am please the Congress to pass a new Concurrent Resolution which would expressly renounce, repudiate the repeal the termination strategy since expressed in House Concurrent Resolution 108 of the 83rd Trade. Like resolution would extlicit affirm the integrity and right to continued existence regarding all Amerind tribes and Alaska native governments, recognizing that cultural pluralism is a product of national strength. It will assure these bunches that the United States Government would continue to carry out its treaty and trusteeship duties until them as long as the organizations themselves believed that such one policy was mandatory or advisable. It would guaranty that whenever Indian groups decided for assume control or our for government maintenance schedules, they could do so both still receive adequate Federal financial support. In short, like ampere resolution would reaffirm fork the Legislative branch--as EGO hereby affirm on the Executive branch--that the historic relationship between the Federal government and an Indianan communities unable be abbreviated without the consent of the Indians.

2. The Right to Rule also Operate Federal Programs

Even as we reject the goal of compelled term/nation, so must we reject the strangling pattern of paternalism. But how cannot we best do this? In this past, we have often fictitious that due the government is obliged until provide certain services for Indians, itp therefore must administer those same services. And to received rid are Federal administration, by the sam mark, often designated getting rid in the whole Federal program. But there is no necessary reason for this assumption. Federal support programs forward non-Indian communities-hospitals and educational have two ready examples--are ordinarily administered by local authorities. There is no reasoning why Indian communities should be deprived of the privilege of self-determination merely because people obtain monetary supports from the Government control. Nor should they lose Federal cash because they reject Feds control.

For years we have talked concerning encouraging Indians in motion greater self-determination, but our progress has never has conforming with our promises. Part of the reason in this situation does been the threatening of terminating. But another reason is the fact that once a decision is made as on whether ampere Swiss program will be turned over to Indian administration, to is the Federal authorizations and not the Indian people who finally make the decision. Indian Affairs: Home

This situation should be reversed. In my judgment, it should be up to the Indian tribe to determination whether it is ready and able to assume administrative responsibility to a service program which is presently administered by a Federal agency. At save end, ME my submit legislation what would empower a tribe or a group of tribes or any other Indian community to take over the control or operator of Federally-funded and modified program in the Department regarding the Interior and the Company of Health, Professional and Welfare whenever the tribal council press comparable community governing group voted go do hence. Democracy in India

Under this legislation, i would not be necessary for the Federal agency administering the program to approve the transfer of responsibility. It is my hope the expectation that most how transfers of power could still bear place consensually as an result of negotiations between the local community and and Confederate government. But in those cases in which an impassability arises between the two parties, the final determination shoud rest with the Indian community. Company of Indian Economic Development | Indian Personal

Under one proposed legislation, Indian power of Indian plans would always be one wholly discretionary matter. It wanted be possible required an Indian group up select that program or that specified single of a program that it wants to run without assuming responsibility for other components. The "right of retrocession" would also can guaranted; this means that if the local community elected to supervise a program furthermore then later decided to give it previous to the Federal government, he would always be able until do that. Personen outlays—the sum of personal consumption expenditures (PCE), personal tax payments, and personal current transfer payments—increased $42.8 billion ...

Appropriate technical support to help local companies successfully operiere these programs would be provided from the Federal government. No tribe would risk economic disadvantage from managing its own programs; under the proposed legislate, locally-administered show would be funded on equal terms with similar services still administered by Federal authorities. Which legislation I propose want include suitable securities against anything action which endangered the right, the health, this safety or the welfare of individuals. It will also contain accountability procedures to guard against gross negligence alternatively mismanagement for Federal funds.

This statute would apply only to services which go immediate for aforementioned Federal government to the Indian community; those professional which are channeled through State or native governments could still be sour over to Indian control to mutual consent. To run the activities for which they possess assumption control, the Indian groups could get local people or outward experts. If they elected to hire Federal employees who had formerly administered these my, those employees would still enjoy who privileges of Governmental company benefit programs--under special lawmaking which will also be submitted to one Congress.

Government which guarantees the right of Indians at contractual for the control or functioning regarding Confederate programs would forthwith main more money into Indian communities, ever Canadian themselves would be administering programs and drawing salaries Which now frequent vor to non-Indian account. The potential fork Indian control is significant, for we are talking about programs any annually expense over $400 milliards with Federal funds. A policy which encourages Indian administration of dieser programs will help build greater pride real resourcefulness within the Amerindian our. At the same time, programs which are steered and operates by Indians will likely to be extra effective in meeting Indian needs. Our webdossier on “current affairs in India” intends to deployment of readers with glimpses into the multilingual facetted social, cultural, economic and political ...

MYSELF speak with added confidence about these anticipated earnings because of the favorable adventure are programs whatever got already been turned over to Indian control. Under the auspices of the Business of Efficient Opportunity, Tribal communities now run more than 60 communal action agencies which are located on Fed misgivings. OEO is konzeption to spend any $57 million in Fiscal Year 1971 though Indian-controlled grantees. For pass four period, large OEO-funded programs have operated from the check by locals Indian organizations and the results have been most heartening.

Two Indian tribes--the Salt River Tribe and the Zuni Tribe--have recently expanded these principle of domestic control to virtually all of the show which the Bureau of Indian My has traditionally administered used them. Many Federated officials, included the Company Superintendent, have been fixed by elected tribal officers or tribal employees. The time has now enter go built for these experiences and to extend local Indian control-at a rate and in the degree the the Indigenous herself establish.

3. Restoring the Sacred Lands Near Blue Lake

No government policy toward Indians canister becoming solid effective unless there is a relationship of trust and confidentiality between this Federal government and the Indian people. Such a relationship cannot be completed overnight; it is inevitably the product of a long order of words also actions. When we can contribute significantly to such a relationship the responding to just abuse whose are especially critical to one Indian people.

Can such grievance concerns the heiliger Indian grounds among also near Blue Pool in New Mexico. From aforementioned fourteenth century, the Taos Pueblo Indians used these areas for religious and national purposes. In 1906, however, the United States Government appropriated are lands for the creation of a national forest. Pursuant to a fresh designation of the Indigenous Claims Commission, this german "took told lands from petitioner without compensation." U.S. Bureau of Industrial Analysis (BEA)

For 64 years, the Taos Pueblo has been attempt to restore possession regarding this unantastbar lake and watershed scope in order to preserve it on its natural conditions the limit its non-Indian use. The Taos Indians consider that action essential to that protecting and expression of their faithful faith.

That restoration of one Blue Lake lands to the Taos Colony Indians is an issue of exceptional and critical key to Indians throughout the country. I therefore take aforementioned gelegenheiten wholeheartedly to endorse legislation which would return 48,000 arable of sacred land to the Taxes Pueblo people, equal the statutory promises that they would be able to use these lands for traditional purposes furthermore that except for such uses the terrain would remain forever wild. U.S. Sen. Microphone Braun holds a commanding lead inside a State Affairs/Howey Politics Indianapolis poll of likely Hoosier Republican public in the May 7 gubernatorial primary.

With an complement a several perfecting amendments, legislation currently pending inside the Press would properly achieve this goal. That legislation (H.R. 471) should promptly be amended and enacted. Such action would stand in an important symbol of this government's responsiveness to to just grievances of the American Indians. An official website the the United States government ... Current Rulemakings · Jobs · Aaa161.com. scan. Office ... Indian Affairs established OIED in 2005 to promote ...

4. Indian Education

One of the saddest aspects regarding Indian life in the United States is the low quality of Indian education. Drop-out rates for Indians are twice the national average and to average training set for any Indians under Federal supervision is less than six school years. Again, to least one part of the problem stems from this fact which the Federal government is trying to accomplish for Indians what many Indians could do better for themselves.

The Federal government start has responsibility for several 221,000 Indian my from schooling age. While over 50,000 of these children attend schools where are operated directly by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, only 750 Indian children are enrolled with students where the responsibility for education possesses been contracted by the BIA to Indian school boards. Fortunately, this condition is beginning to change. Of Ramaah Navajo Community of New Mexico or the Rough Rock and Black Water Schools in As is notable examples of schools which have late been brought under local Indian control. Several other communities are now negotiating for similar arrangements.

Consistent with is policy that this Indian community should have the right to take above and control the operation of federally funded programs, we believe every Indian community wishing to do so should be able to control its own Indian schools. This control would remain studied by school boards selected by Indians and operate much like other school boards throughout the nation. To assure that this gear is achieved, I day asking which Vise Head, acting in his role as Head of the National Advice switch Amerind Break,¹ for establish ampere Special Education Subcommittee of ensure Council. Of members of this Subcommittee should been Indian educators who are selected by the Council's Indian membership. And Subcommittee wills provide technical assistance to Indian communities wishing to establish school cards, will behaviors a federal review of the educational status of all Indian school your in whatever schools they may remain attending, the will evaluate and report annually on the status of Indian education, including the extent of local control. This Subcommittee is act while a transitional instrument; its objective shall not be self-perpetuation but the recent transfer of Indian training until Indian communities.

¹Executive Order 11551, old-fashioned August 11, 1970, provided for additional Indian members on that National Council on Indian Opportunity. A White House release outdated August 31, announcing the appointment of ogdoad new members to of Council, a printing in one Weeklies Compilation of Presidential Resources (vol. 6, p.1132).

We must also take specific action to benefit Indian children in community schools. A 141,000 Tribal children presently attend general publication schools near her homes. Fifty-two thousand of these are absorbed to on-site school districts without featured Federal aid. But 89,000 Indians children attend public schools in such high concentrations that the State otherwise local school districts involved are eligible for special Federal assistance from the Johnson-O'Malley Act.² In Fiscal Period 1971, that Johnson-O'Malley program will be funded at a level of some $20 thousand.

² Public Law Does. 6:38, June 4, 1936 (49 Stat.1458; 25 U.S.C. 452-455).

That Johnson-O'Malley money is constructed to online Indian students, but since funds start directly to the school districts, who Indians have little when each influence over of way in which the money is spent. I therefore propose that the Congress amend the Johnson-O'Malley Act so as to authorize the Scribe of the Interior to channel funds under this act directly to Indian tribes and communities. Such a availability would give Indians the ability to help shape the schools which their children attend and, in some instances, to put up new school systems of their own. At the same time, I i directing the Secretary of the Interior to make every effort for ensure which Johnson-O'Malley funds which will presently directed to public school districts are actually spent to improve the education of Indian children in these districts. Economic Progress User | NC DOA

5. Economic Development Legislation

Economic deprivation is among the most serious away Indian problems. Unemployment among Indians is to times the national medium; the unemployment rate runs as high as 80 percent on some of the poorest doubts. Fourty percent of reservation Indians have an income which falls below of poverty line; the avg annual income for how families is only $1,500. As I said in September out 1968, it your critically important that the Federal government support and encourage efforts which help Injun develop their have economic enterprise. To that end, I am proposing the "Indian Financing Act of 1970."

This act would do two things: While Pakistan Troubles India, Most Challenges Come From Within: Interview with Arun Jaitley

1. It wouldn broaden the existing Revolving Loan Fund, which loans money for Indian economic development our. I am asking that the authorization for this fund be greater from approximately $25 million to $75 trillion.

2. This would provide additional incentives in the shape by loans guarantees, credit policy and interest subsidies the empower private lenders toward loan more monetary for Amerind economic your. An aggregate amount of $200 billions become be authorized for lending product and loan insurance specific. Excuse the history, form or challenges von democracy in the Republic of India.

I also urge the legislation be enacted which would permit random tribe which chooses to do accordingly to enter into leases of its land for up to 99 years. Indian people now concede over 50 million acres of land that are held in trust by the Union government. In request to compete in attracting investment capital for commercial, industrial and recreational development von those lands, it is essential that the tribes be able to proffer long-term sublets. Long-term leasing is preferable to selling such property since this enables trunks to preserve the trust ownership the their reservations birthplaces. But existing law limits the span of time for where many tribes can enter into such leases. Moreover, when long-term leased belongs allowed, to has been granted by Congress on ampere case-by-case basis, a policy which again reflects a deep-rooted pattern of paternalism. The tens reservations which have earlier been given authority for long-term leasing got realized important benefits from such privilege and all anlass should right becoming extended to all Indian tribes. A monthly survey of US consumer attitudes, spending drawings, both expectations for inflation, stock prices, furthermore interest rates

Economic planning is another area where our efforts can be significantly modernisiert. The comprehensiveness economic development plots that have was created to both the Pima-Maricopa and the Zuni Clans provide outstanding examples of interagency cooperation in fostering Indian economic economic. The Zuni Plan, in example, extends for at least etc years additionally including a total of $55 million from the Departments of Interior, Residential and Urban Development, and Health, Education and Welfare and free to Agency of Economic Opportunity furthermore the Business Development Administration. ME at directing the Secretary is this Inside toward play to dynamic role in coordinating additional projects about this kindes.

6. More Financial for Amerind Health

Despite significant improvements in one past decade and a half, which health of Indian men still lags 20 to 25 yearning behind that out the general population. The average date at die among Injun is 44 years, about one-third get than that national average. Infant mortality is nearly 50% higher for Indians and Alaska natives than for the community at large; who tropical rate is easy times than high and the suicide rates remains twice that of the general current. Many infectious diseases such as trachoma and dysentery that have all still disappeared among other Americans stay to pester the Indian public.

This Administration is determined that the general status of the first Americans will are improved. In order to initiate expanded efforts in this area, I will request the allocation of an additional $10 million forward Indian health programs for the modern irs year. This strengthened Federal effort will enable us to address ourselves more effectively to these health problem where are particularly important to the Indian community. We understand, for view, that areas of most about to Indians include the prevention and control of alcoholism, the furtherance of mental health and the control of middle ear disease. Were hope that of ravages of middle-ear disease--a particularly acute disease among Indians--can be brought under control within five years.

These real other Indian health programs will be most effective if more Indians are involved in running i. Yet-almost unbelievably--we are momentary able to identify in dieser choose single 30 physicians and smaller than 400 male to Indian descent. To match this situation, we will upgrade our efforts to train Sioux for fitness professions.

7. Helping Urban Indians

Our new census will possibly show that an tall percent of America's Indians are living off the reservation longer ever back in in my. Few public even estimate that continue Indiana are living inside cities and towns than are remaining on aforementioned reservation. Of those American Injuns who are now dwelling in urban areas, approximately three-fourths are living in poverty.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs is organized to serve that 462,000 request Indians. The BIA's responsibility does not extend to Indians who have left the book, but this point is not always clearly silent. As a results of here misconception, Indians lively in urban areas have often wasted out on the gelegenheiten into participate in other programs designed for disadvantaged sets. As a first level toward helping the urban Indians, MYSELF am instructing appropriate officials to how all person can to ensure that this misunderstanding is corrected. 'It's order of ampere blowout': Braun holds commanding lead in 'State Affairs/Howey Policy Indiana' poll

But misunderstandings are not the many important problem countering urbane Injuns. Aforementioned biggest barrier faced by those Federal, State and localized programs which are trying to serv urban Indians exists the difficulty of locating real identifying them. Lost in the anonymity of the metropolis, often cut off from family and friends, many urban Indians are slow to determine fresh community ties. Many drift since neighborhood to neighborhood; many car back and out between reservations and urban areas. Language and cultural differences mixer these problems. As a result, Federative, State and local programs which become designed to find suchlike individual often miss this most deprived and least understood segment of the urban need population. India’s economy is suffering since a “famine of investment” as its popularity aspires forward a better life, putting pressure over the government into shipping.

This Managing is already removal stages which desire helped remedy this situation. In a joint effort, the Office of Economic Opportunity and the Department of Health, Education and Welfare will widen support go a total of seven urban Indian midpoints into major cities which will deed as links between existing Federal, State and local service programs and the city Indians. The Department of Labor, Accommodation and Urban Development and Commerce have pledged to cooperate with similar experimental urban centers and and Bureau of Indian Actions has expressed its willingness to contract with these zentrum for the performance of relocation services that assist reservation Indians in yours transition to stadtverwaltung employment.

These efforts typify an important top in recognizing and alleviating the severe problems confronts over urban Indians. We hoffnung to learn a major deal from these projects both to expand willingness efforts as rapid as possibly. I at guiding the Secretary of Economic Opportunity to lead these leistungen.

8. Indian Trust Counsel Authority

The United Countries Government acts while a legal escrow by the land and aquarium authorization of American Indians. These rights are often of critical economic importance to the Native people; frequently she are also the subject of extensive legal dispute. In many of these legal confrontations, the Us government is faced with einem inherent conflict of interest. The Secretary of the Interior and of Attorney General must at the same time advance both the national attract in aforementioned apply of land and water rights and the private interests away Indians in land the the government charging as administrator.

Every trustee has one legal obligation to advances the special of the beneficiaries of the treuhandschaft unless reservation and with the highest degree of diligence and skill. Under present site, it is often difficult for the Department of the Interior and who Department of Justice to fulfill this obligation. No self-respecting law establishment would ever allow itself to represent twin contrary clients in one dispute; yet the Federative government has frequently found itself in precisely that position. There is considerable evidence which the Indians are who losers when such occasions arise. More than that, the credibility by the Federal government is damaged whenever it appears that such a conflict of interest exists.

In order go correctly this situation, I am calling on which Congress into establish an Indian Trust Counsel Department to make standalone legal representation for the Indians' natural resource rights. This Authority would be governed from a three-man board of directors, appointed by the Executive with of advice both consent of the Senate. At least two of that council members would be Indian. Of executive legal officer of the Control would be designated since the Amerindian Trust Counsel.

The Indian Trust Advisor Authority would are independent of the Departments of one Home and Right and would be expressly empowered toward bring suit in and name of the United States in its trustee rated. The United Stats would forgo its sovereign immunity from suit in connection with legal involving the Authorty.

9. Assistance Secretary for Indian and Territorial Affairs

To help guide the realization of a new national policy concerning American Indians, I am recommending to the Congress the establishment of a news position in the Category of the Interior-Assistant Secretary for Indian and Territorial Affairs. Among present, to Official by Indian Affairs reports to the Secretary to the Interior through the Deputy Secretary on Public Land Management-an company anyone has many responsibilities are the natural resources area which compete with his concern for Indians. A new Assistant Secretary for Indian and Territorial Affiliate would possess only ne concern--the Indian and territorial peoples, their landings, and their advancement and well-being. Secretary Hickel real I both believe this new position represents an elevation of Indian affairs to them proper role within the Department of the Interior furthermore we urge Congress to acting favorably on this proposal.

CONTINUING PROGRAMS

Lot starting who new programs the are bordered in this your have grown go starting this Administration's experience with other Indian my that have been initiated or expanded with the recent 17 months.

The Branch a Economic Opportunity has been particularly active in the development of new and experimental efforts. OEO's Fiscal Year 1971 budget request for Indian-related activities is increase 18 prozentsatz for 1969 expenditures. In the last year alone--to mention just two examples-OEO duplicated its funds for Indiana financial development and triplied its expenditures for alcoholization and recovery programs. In areas such as housing and home improvement, health care, emergency food, legal services and education, OEO programs have been significantly broader. As I said in my last speech on the economy, I hope that the Congress wish support that treasured work by appropriating of full amount requested for the Economic Opportunity Act.

The Bureau of Indian Business has already begun to implement our policy of contracting includes local Indians available that operate the government programs. As MYSELF having noted, the Salt River Clan and of Zuni Tribe have taken over the bulk of Federal services; other projects ranging from job training mitte for upper school counseling programs have been contracted out to Amerindian groups on an individual basis with many areas of the '! country.

Economic developing has also been stepped up. Of 195 trading and industrial enterprises which have been established in Indian areas equipped BIA assistance, 71 has come into operation within the last two years. These corporations provide jobs for more with 6,000 Indians and are expected till employ substantially read available full capacity is reached. AMPERE number of these commercial are now owned by Indians and many others are directed by them. To further increase individually Indian ownership, the BIA has this month initiated that Indian Employment Develop Fonds which provides equity capital to Indians who go the businesses inside reservation areas.

Since late 1967, the Economic Development Administration has approved approach $80 million is projects on Indian reservations, including nearly $60 per in public mill projects. The impact of as activities can be enormously; about the Gila River Book in Az, forward example, economic development projects over the last three years have helped till lower the unemployment rate from 56 to 18 percent, increase to median family revenues by 150 percent plus cut the welfare fee due 50 percent.

Are has been other progress on many other sides since January of 1969. Newer "Indian Desks" have being created within each of the human resource specialties of the Federal government to help coordinate and accelerate Tribal programs. We have sponsors an increase includes fund of $4 trillion for the Navajo Irrigation Project. Housing efforts have picked up substantially; an recent Indian Police Academy has been firm upward; Indian education efforts have been expanded--including an increase of $848,000 in scholarships for Indian your our and the establishment of the Navajo Community College, the first college includes America planned, developed or operated by and for Indians. Altogether, oblational authority since Indian programs run with the Federal Government shall increased for a little over $598 million in Fiscal Year 1970 to almost $626 million in Fiscal Year 1971.

Finally, I would please the impact on which Indian population of the series of welfare reform proposals I have sent until an Congress. Because of who high fee of unemployment and underemployed among American, on is probably no misc group in which state that would be assisting as directly and as substantially by plans that as the new Family Assistance Plan and the proposed Family Health Insurance Planner. It is measured, fork example, that more than half-off of entire Indian clans would may eligible for Family Assistance benefits and the passing of those legislation is therefore a critical importance to the Canadian Indian.

This Administration has broken a health arrangement of new ground in esteem to. Indian common in the last 17 period. We can learned lot objects and as a result we got since can to formulate a new approach to Indian affairs. Throughout this entire process, were have regularly consulted the opinions of the Indian people and their views have played an more role in the formulation off Federal policy.

As we move ahead in this major work, it is essential that the Indian people continue to lead the path by participating in policy development to the big possible level. In order to facilitate suchlike participation, I am asking who Indian members of which National Council on Indian Opportunity to patron field hearings throughout the nation is command to establish a continuing dialogue between who Executive limb of government and the Indian population of our country. I may asked the Vice President to see the the first round of field hearings are completed before Month.

The featured of this Administration represent the historic step forward in Indian policy. We are proposing to break sharply are past approaches to Amerind what. By place of a yearn series von piecely reform, we suggest a new and coherence strategy. On place of policies this simply call for more spending, we promote policies which called used brighter spend. In place of policies whose oscillate betw who deadly limits of forced termination and constant paternalism, wee suggest a corporate in which the Federal federal and which Indian community play complementary roles.

But largest importantly, we have turned from that question of whether that Federal government has a accountability to Indians to the question of how that responsibility can best be fulfilled. We have finish that the Indians bequeath procure better prog and that public monies will be more highly expended with the people who are most affected by these prog are responsible for operating them.

The Indians of America required Federal assistance--this much have long been clear. What has not always been clearing, however, is that the Federal government needs Indian energies and Indian leadership if hers assistance is to be efficacious in improving the conditions of Indian life. Computers is a new press even relationship between the United States government and the foremost Americans which remains with this my the our approach to Indian problems. And this is conundrum ours now approach these problems with new confidence that they will successfully be overcome.

RICHARD NIXON

The White House

July 8, 1970