• Assessing the service needs of Self-Governance Tribes

• Continued outreach to increase awareness and understanding of Self-Governance

• To increase Tribal participation and program development

How much does it cost...

General education services and materials are provided at no cost. However, a nominal registration fee is charged for conferences and workshops to assist with covering the cost of materials.

SGCE History...

The Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act, P.L. 93-638 as amended, authorizes the Tribal Self-Governance initiative. It should be noted that Indian Tribes do not need Self-Governance in law simply to administer existing federal initiatives, services, functions, and activities. Self-Governance is designed to provide Tribes with the flexibility to re-design and re-prioritize federal programs and to reallocate federally-appropriated funds to programs that best meet Tribal priorities.

SGCE From the Beginning..

During the initial two year planning phase, the BIA, with the exception of the Federal Register announcements on planning grants, provided no formal descriptions or explanations to Indian Country about the Self-Governance Demonstration Project. Other than the actual provisions, of the law itself, no information on Self-Governance was available.

By mid-1989, the Tribes realized that the lack of available information concerning the Self-Governance Demonstration Project allowed for a most vulnerable climate in which rumors, misinformation and Project opposition could flourish. With planning funds, the Quinault Indian Nation, Lummi Indian Nation, and Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe developed "Shaping Our Own Future", a publication on the history, legislative purposes, and experiences in Self-Governance. The first Self-Governance educational seminar was held in Seattle, Washington in January 1990. The Hoopa Valley Tribe joined this educational initiative after the Seattle seminar.

By 1992, the Quinault Indian Nation, Lummi Nation, Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe and Hoopa Valley Tribe developed the "Red Book II" entitled: "Self-Governance: A Tribally Driven Initiative." This document describes the history, purpose and progress of the Self-Governance Demonstration Project, itself, as well as the reasoning and aspirations behind this historic Tribally driven initiative.

In early 1993, the Sac & Fox Nation of Oklahoma joined this educational initiative.

The purpose of the Communication and Education Project is to share knowledge with Self-Governance Tribes, Tribal communities, Office of Self-Governance (DOI), Office of Tribal Self-Governance (IHS) with focus on: What Self-Governance means to our Tribes, defining and exploring relationships, and the key provisions and intent of the Self-Governance statutes.

It was decided, by the five Tribes working together on the Education Project that the one of the most effective mechanisms to convey accurate information about Self-Governance was to sponsor regional and national workshops. These workshops provide local presentations at the request of a Tribal government. Based on amount of funds available, the Project also distributes information by mail and at national conferences, and distributes a monthly newsletter entitled the "Sovereign Nations". The overall goal has been to provide factual information about Self-Governance, to assist other Tribes interested in participating in the Demonstration Project, and to create an open atmosphere where the Self-Governance concept could be discussed and debated.

As Tribes were entering the first year under Compacts of Self-Governance in FY 91, Congressional assistance was requested to continue the education/ communication initiative. Congress supported continuation with appropriations of $175,000 in FY 91 and $150,000 in FY 92 and $150,000 in FY 93 and $100,000 in FY 94. The Indian Health Service FY 94 and FY 95 Budget Justification supports the Self-Governance Communication and Education effort at $50,000 each year. The Lummi Nation serves as Project administrator, but the general direction and activities of the Project are determined by the five Self-Governance Tribes.

The interest expressed about the Self-Governance Project and requests for technical assistance continue to grow. The Communication and Education Project has been effective in the distribution of information and providing forums for discussions about the Project. However, the demand for Tribal-specific technical assistance extends beyond the scope and purpose of the Communication and Education Project.

The Self-Governance Communication and Education Project initiative will continue efforts to reach all areas with Tribal workshops, provide forums for BIA Area/Agency personnel serving Self-Governance Tribes, and develop/disseminate up-to-date factual information on Project problems, accomplishments and experiences. The quarterly newsletter highlighting individual Tribal experiences implementing the Self-Governance concept and summarizing legislative/administrative developments is being disseminated to all Tribal governments, Alaskan Native Villages, Office of Self-Governance (DOI), Office of Tribal Self-Governance (IHS), and interested parties. The distribution list currently exceeds over 5,000 individuals.

The Communication and Education Project is vital to insure that the Project and its purposes are clearly understood by federal agency officials & employees as well as the non-participating tribes. Everyone - the Tribes, the agencies, and the Congress needs to understand that the Self-Governance Tribes are not attempting to dissolve the Bureau of Indian Affairs or the Indian Health Service, but rather to change the Tribal/BIA and Tribal/IHS relationship.

As a result of the workshops, presentations, printed materials, telephone inquiries, and monthly newsletters, numerous misconceptions and misinformation about Self-Governance have been identified and addressed. There has been substantial interest expressed by other Tribes to participate in the Project. A critical audience for future workshops will focus on BIA and IHS and eventually other Federal Agency personnel, particularly in those Areas with Self-Governance Tribes.

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