On April 14, 2025, the Department of the Interior (DOI) issued a Dear Tribal Leader Letter (DTLL) announcing Tribal consultation on Indian Affairs Workforce Efficiency and Productivity – Executive Order 14210. DOI will conduct six (6) hybrid Tribal consultation sessions, one (1) virtual Tribal consultation session, and one (1) Indian education consultation session for Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) interested parties.
DOI is seeking feedback on Indian Affairs—including the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE), the Bureau of Trust Funds Administration (BTFA), and the Office of the Assistant Secretary—and efforts to reform the federal workforce to maximize efficiency and productivity. Specifically, DOI is requesting input on:
Restructuring Indian Affairs in accordance with Executive Order 14210 and the implementation of the “Department of Government Efficiency” Workforce Optimization Initiative, including directions for Reductions in Force (RIFs).
Current funding structures, including Tribal Priority Allocations, one-time awards, grant funding, and formula funding, as well as recommendations to reduce administrative burdens and increase access to funding.
Recommendations for expanding pathways to self-determination and self-governance.
The six hybrid Tribal consultation sessions will take place:
May 20, 2025 – Anchorage, Alaska | 10:00 AM – 3:30 PM (ADT)
May 22, 2025 – Sacramento, California | 10:00 AM – 3:30 PM (PDT)
May 27, 2025 – Albuquerque, New Mexico | 10:00 AM – 3:30 PM (MDT)
May 29, 2025 – Bloomington, Minnesota | 10:00 AM – 3:30 PM (CDT)
June 3, 2025 – Oklahoma City, Oklahoma | 10:00 AM – 3:30 PM (CDT)
June 5, 2025 – Washington, D.C. | 10:00 AM – 3:30 PM (EDT)
The virtual session for BIE interested parties will take place on May 30, 2025, from 10:00 AM – 3:30 PM (EDT).
The virtual Tribal consultation session will take place on June 6, 2025, from 10:00 AM – 3:30 PM (EDT).
These consultation sessions are closed to the press and public. You can register for the sessions here.
DOI will accept written comments through July 7, 2025, at 11:59 PM (EDT). Comments may be submitted via email to consultation@bia.gov.
For more information, please contact Julia Wakeford, NIEA Federal Policy Director, at jwakeford@niea.org.
