“S. 2460, to amend the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act. I consider this measure as singularly important to the future course of Indian Affairs. The Amendment is intended to insure that Congress’original intent in passing the Indian Self-Determination Act is successfully implemented. The Act states that it would “permit an orderly transition from Federal domination of programs for and services to Indians to effective and meaningful participation by the Indian people in the planning, conduct and administration of those programs and services. (Sec. 3(b)) Since the Act was passed in 1975 and the regulations published over 1 1/2 years ago, Indian
people throughout the Nation have encountered problems and barriers to the assumption of control over the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Indian Health Service Programs. The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs conducted oversight hearings to investigate these problems with the implementation of Public 93-638, one of our hearings, held in Albuquerque, New Mexico, generated testimony from over 30 Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations. On the basis of Indian testimony and information gathered directly from IHS and BIA, it became clear that the intent of Congress has been frustrated because there has been no meaningful transfer of control in the actual implementation of the Act. Rather, control has been retained by the agencies through a combination of factors.”
