To
further the goals of Indian Self-Determination by providing funds
to Indian tribes to administer a wide range of programs with maximum
administrative and programmatic flexibility.
TYPES
OF ASSISTANCE:
Direct Payments for Specified Use. Place Cursor Here for Definition
USES
AND USE RESTRICTIONS:
Funds
may be used by Federally Recognized Tribal Governments to support
programs such as law enforcement, social services, welfare payments,
housing improvement, and road maintenance. Funds may be used only
for programs previously administered by the Department of the Interior
or for programs specifically authorized by Federal statute and may
not be used for the operation of elementary and secondary schools
or for community colleges. The Indian tribe must ensure adequate
protection of trust resources.
ELIGIBILITY
REQUIREMENTS:
Applicant
Eligibility: Federally Recognized Indian Tribal
Governments and tribal consortia authorized by the Federally Recognized
Indian Tribal Governments to be served.
Beneficiary
Eligibility: Federally Recognized Indian Tribal
Governments and their Members.
Credentials/Documentation:
Initial application must be accompanied by an authorizing resolution
of the governing body of the Indian tribe or in the case of a
consortia, Indian tribes to be served. First-time applicants must
have successfully completed a planning phase and must have demonstrated
for the previous three years, financial stability and financial
management capability.
Pre-application
Coordination: An informal preapplication conference
is recommended. Technical assistance in preparing the application
is available upon request. This program is excluded from coverage
under E.O. 12372.
Application
Procedure: The application and selection process
is governed by regulations contained in 25 CFR Part 1000. Applicants
first apply for inclusion in an applicant pool. Once an Indian
tribe/consortium has established eligibility for admission to
the applicant pool, it can be selected to become a Self-Governance
Tribe. Application information is available from the office(s)
listed below under "Information Contacts."
Award
Procedure: The dollar value of the annual
funding agreement is subject to negotiation between the applicant,
the local Bureau agency office, the servicing Regional office,
and the Office of Self-Governance. Final funding agreements are
signed by the authorized tribal representative and the Assistant
Secretary - Indian Affairs.
Deadlines:
Application for inclusion in the applicant pool may be filed at
any time. However, an Indian tribe/consortium must be a member
of the applicant pool on March 1 of the year in which the negotiations
are to take place to become a Self-Governance Tribe and negotiate
a compact and annual funding agreement.
Range
of Approval/Disapproval Time: Due to the requirements
that annual funding agreements be negotiated and that all agreements
be submitted to Congress and neighboring Indian tribes at least
90 days before the proposed effective date of the agreement, negotiation
and approval of a new funding agreement may take up to six months.
Appeals:
Applicable appeal procedures are contained in 25 CFR Part 1000.
Renewals:
Funding agreements may be for a single or multi-year period and
renewed indefinitely upon satisfactory performance by the Indian
tribe/consortium. The amount of the annual funding agreement may
be negotiated each year.
ASSISTANCE
CONSIDERATIONS:
Formula
and Matching Requirements: Not applicable.
Length
and Time Phasing of Assistance: Funds are
provided on an annual basis and remain available until expended
by the tribe/consortium. When possible, payments are made in a
lump sum following enactment of the Department's appropriations.
POST
ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Reports:
The timing and nature of program accomplishment data will be negotiated
with the Indian tribe/consortium. Annual, external reviews of the
management of trust assets will be conducted.
Audits:
Indian tribes/consortia are responsible for obtaining audits in
accordance with the Single Audit Act Amendments of 1996 (31 U.S.C.
7501 et seq.).
Records:
Financial records must be retained for 3 years from the date of
submission of the single audit report. Procurement records must
be retained for 3 years from the date of final payment. Property
records must be retained for 3 years from the date of disposition,
replacement, or transfer. Records pertaining to any litigation,
audit exceptions or claims must be retained until the dispute
has been resolved.
FINANCIAL
INFORMATION:
Account
Identification: 14-2100-0-1-452.
Obligations:
(Self-Governance Annual Funding Agreements) FY 01 $178,501,000;
FY 02 est $178,732,000; and FY 03 est $183,500,000.
Range
and Average of Financial Assistance:
$330,000 to $9,000,000; Average: $6,000,000.
In fiscal year 2002, 80 Indian tribes/consortia participated in
the Tribal Self-Governance Program. The 80 annual funding agreements
with Indian tribes and tribal consortia provided approximately 225
Federally recognized Indian Tribes with the opportunity to exercise
discretion in establishing funding priorities, and allow them wide
latitude in the design of tribal programs, services, functions,
and activities in response to local circumstances.
REGULATIONS,
GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE:
25 CFR Part 1000; OMB Circular A-87, "Cost Principles for State,
Local, and Indian Tribal Governments."
INFORMATION
CONTACTS:
Regional
or Local Office: Office of Self Governance,
Department of the Interior, Northwest Field Office, 500 West 12th
Street, Room 170, Vancouver, WA 98660. Telephone: (260) 699-1010.
Use the same number for FTS or the nearest Bureau of Indian Affairs
Regional Office as listed in Appendix IV of the Catalog.
Headquarters
Office: Office of Self-Governance, Office
of the Secretary, Department of the Interior, 1849 C Street, NW,
MS 2542 MIB, Washington, DC 20240. Contact: Dr. Kenneth Reinfeld.
Telephone: (202) 219-0240. Use the same number for FTS.
Web
Site Address: http://www.doi.gov/bureau-indian-affairs.html
EXAMPLES
OF FUNDED PROJECTS:
Among the activities supported by one consortium was the organization
of a tourism alliance, provision of 300 college scholarships, repair
of 16 homes, and the initiation of job readiness training for welfare
recipients. A tribe in the northwest managed over 3800 acres of
forest land, helped 27 tribal members move from welfare to paid
employment, and supported 20 members in adult education/training
programs. Another tribal consortium provided life skills assistance
(tax preparation, driver's education, resume writing, etc.) to over
500 members, provided assistance to village groups in preparing
economic development proposals which resulted in increased funding
being provided by other Federal agencies, and worked with the Reindeer
Herders Association to improve the health and economic value of
the reindeer herds.
CRITERIA
FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS:
All applicants meeting the eligibility criteria of 25 CFR Part 1000
will be selected, up to a maximum of 50 new participants annually.
An applicant must be a Federally Recognized Tribe or tribal consortium,
have an authorizing tribal resolution(s) from the tribal governing
body(ies), have successfully completed a planning phase and have
demonstrated for the previous three years, financial stability and
financial management capability. Applicants are selected in the
order in which complete applications are received. For more information
contact the offices listed under "Information Contacts."
