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Office of Native American Programs (HEW)
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1103409
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Office of Native American Programs (HEW)
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Bradley H. Patterson Files (Ford Administration)
Bradley Patterson's Native American Programs Files
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Indians of North America
Construction industry
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The original documents are located in Box 4, folder "Office of Native American Programs
(HEW)" of the Bradley H. Patterson Files at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
Copyright Notice
The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of
photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Gerald Ford donated to the United
States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.
Works prepared by U.S. Government employees as part of their official duties are in the public
domain. The copyrights to materials written by other individuals or organizations are presumed to
remain with them. If you think any of the information displayed in the PDF is subject to a valid
copyright claim, please contact the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
Digitized from Box 4 of the Bradley H. Patterson Files at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
August 30, 1976
Dear LaDonna,
Guess who is back in the Indian business...
Thought you would like to see the attached
memorandum from the President.
The President has asked me to thank you for
your letter of the 25th. I will try to find
out about some of the things you have described
and will be in touch with you again. I'll
probably phone you also, since perhaps a few
illustrations for me of the problems on your
mind would be helpful.
Affectionately,
Bradley H. Patterson, Jr.
Ms. LaDonna Harris
President
Americans for Indian Opportunity
Plaza Del Sol Building, Suite 403
600 Second Street, N. W.
Albuquerque, New Mexico 87102
BHP/tm
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
ONAP focussing on
adm 8 managerial
advir stewgthenning
competence us tubal
goal.
10FO LIGRARY is 07VU39
AIO
PLAZA DEL SOL BUILDING SUITE 403
600 SECOND STREET, N.W. . ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO 87102 (505) 842-0962
BP
AMERICANS for INDIAN OPPORTUNITY
LaDonna Harris
President
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
I. W. Abel
Lionel Bordeaux, Sioux
August 25, 1976
Joan Bordman
Edgar Bowen, Coos-Oregon
Terry Brown, Karok
Lee A. Buck
&
FORD
Price M. Cobbs, M.D.
Eugene Crawford, Sioux
Ada Deer, Menominee
Honorable Gerald R. Ford
DERALD
Jack Edmo, Shoshone-Bannock,
Blackfeet
President of the United States
LIBRARY
Coy G. Eklund
Roy George, Nooksack
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
LaDonna Harris, Comanche
Washington, D.C. 20500
Rev. Theodore M. Hesburgh,
C.S.C.
Minerva Jenkins, Apache
Louis LaRose, Winnebago
Dear Mr. President:
A. David Lester, Creek
Dennis Limberhand, Northern
Cheyenne
As President and Director of Americans for
Charles Lohah, Osage
Philip Martin, Choctaw
Indian Opportunity, I would like to share with you
Grace McCullah, Navaho
N. Scott Momaday, Kiowa
my observations of the Department of Health, Educa-
Jerry Muskrat, Cherokee
tion and Welfare's handling of the Office of Native
Joe Dan Osceola, Seminole
Morgan Otis,
American Programs. As you know, ONAP originated
Apache-Arapaho-Kiowa
Elma Patterson, Tuscarora
with the Office of Economic Opportunity and was
Cal Peters, Squaxin Island
Jack Rushing, Creek
transferred to HEW with strong objections from the
Vickie Santana, Southern
Plegan-Blackfeet
Indian community. We feared that it would lose its
Joe S. Sando, Jemez Pueblo
flexibility, recognizing that this flexibility is
Eddie L Tullis, Alabama Creek
important for the development of new programs and
the philosophy of self-determination by the Indian
community, and also from observations of what happens
to other programs when they reach HEW's bureaucracy.
It's my opinion, in watching this transfer very
closely, that Assistant Secretary Stan Thomas strongly
resented the way ONAP was set up and the influence
the Indian community had on the ONAP programs. The
former director, Bob Howard, worked very hard at
keeping the Assistant Secretary and other pressures
from making what I would consider destructive changes
in the ONAP programs. On his tragic death, again
came the fear of the destruction of ONAP. There was
great hope in the decision to appoint Dr. George
Bluespruce as director that ONAP would continue as
it was originally created. On several occasions,
Americans for Indian Opportunity and other national
-2-
Indian organizations have had to go directly
to the administration, mostly the White House,
to overcome obstadles that Mr. Thomas created
to stifle the Indian community and their
programs. Though I find Mr. Thomas a charming
man socially, I find him to be an obstructionist
as far as the Indian community is concerned.
I feel that this administration, congress and
the government as a whole has learned the hard
way that Native American problems are uniquely
different from any other minority, and that the
government as a whole has a special responsibility
to the Indian community.
To help you understand the motivation of this
letter, we want you to know that AIO is a non-profit
organization whose funding is provided by gifts from
the private and corporate community. We have felt
that one of our obligations as a national organization
was to work with government agencies so that they
could better understand the uniqueness of the Indian
community, and help them to recognize their trust
responsibility so that their programs would be more
effective. I think that you can check with many of
your top agency people to find that we are a credible
Indian organization, and we do not make accusations
lightly.
Upon the appointment of Secretary Matthews we
tried to make an appointment to brief him on our
concerns about HEW, recognizing that HEW has as many,
and in some ways more important, programs than the
Bureau of Indian Affairs. We were referred to Assis-
tant Secretary Marjorie Lynch, whom we found to be
very sensitive, cooperative and aware of the problems
of the Indian community. In the past few months the
action of HEW has brought about a great deal of
concern, such as kicking Dr. Bluespruce upstairs to
-3-
the intra agency council, which leaves the
directorship of ONAP vacant. Reports have
come to our office that Mr. Thomas is usurping
all the Indian staff's decision making, and we
strongly object to this due to our past exper-
ience. We don't feel that Mr. Thomas has the
right attitude for the welfare of the Indian
community.
We hope that the director's vacancy can
be filled immediately by an Indian person so
that the activities of ONAP can continue with
as much Indian input as possible. We would
also like you to know that the Director of
Indian Education has not yet been replaced with
an Indian. We find both of these conditions
deplorable, and hope that you will use your
good offices to see that these matters are
immediately attended to so that the Native
American community can continue its growth with
self-determination.
We recognize that this is a very busy time,
but we hope that you can refer this matter to a
member of your staff, such as Ms. Roberta Kilberg,
so that HEW and your administration can carry out
its trust responsibility to the Indian community.
With Warmest Personal Regards,
LaDonna Harris
President
LDH/bb
CC: Secretary Matthews
GE3ALD FORD LICKARY
Under Secretary Lynch
Wendell Chino, National Tribal
Chairman's Association
Mel Tonasket, National Congress
of American Indians
AIQ
POSTAGE
AMERICANS for
WHITE HOUSE SECURITED MAIL
27 AUG
INDIAN OPPOR TUNITY
1976
PLAZA DEL SOL BUILDING SUITE 403
RE
600 SECOND STREET, N.W. . ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO 87102
Processed by:
Honorable Gerald R. Ford
President of the United States
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20500
AGREEMENT FOR ADMINISTRATION OF THE INDIAN
CONSTRUCTION COMPANY PROGRAMS
I. PARTIES:
This memorandum sets forth terms of agreement between the Department
of Health, Education, and Welfare, Office of Native American Programs
and Office of Human Development, hereinafter referred to as "ONAP/OHD",
and the Department of the Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs, herein-
after referred to as "BIA", for the administration of the Indian
Construction Company Program, hereinafter referred to as "Construction
Program.'
II. BACKGROUND
The ONAP/OHD has provided support to Indian tribal governments for
several years to help them establish and maintain tribally owned
construction companies. This initiative, which was undertaken in
cooperation with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
and the BIA, has made it possible to pursue several major social and
economic goals on Indian reservations at one time.
One basic goal of the interagency effort on construction assistance was
to develop tribal administrative and business management capabilities.
The tribally owned construction companies were expected to develop the
capability to compete successfully for construction contracts both on
and off-reservation. ONAP has provided grants and technical assistance
to tribes having a commitment from HUD for a sizeable construction
effort and from BIA for an Indian Action Team (IAT.) The grants
subsidized the start-up and administrative costs of tribally owned
construction companies. This may have included salaries for a general
manager and a bookkeeper/secretary.
The technical assistance was provided by specialists experienced in
various areas of Indian housing, including general' construction manage-
ment, cost estimation, civil engineering, cost control, interim
financing and bonding.
Another goal of the interagency construction assistance effort was to
support the long-range economic and social development of Indian
reservations through the support of feasible self-sustaining tribal
businesses. Providing employment on the reservation creates a demand
for additional goals and services on the reservation which leads toward
long term economic and social self-sufficiency.
Another goal was to replace substandard housing on Indian reservations
with adequate housing for low income residents and to construct
adequate community facilities. HUD provides the bulk of the funds for
this important effort and makes it possible for the Tribes to
negotiate contracts with the tribally owned construction companies.
- 2 -
Another goal was to provide employment for Indian reservation residents
who have a much greater rate of unemployment than the national average.
Off-reservation contractors usually bring in construction workers
from outside the reservation, who spend their pay checks in their
home communities off reservation. In cooperation with the BIA's Indian
Action Team (IAT), tribal members are prepared for employment
through skills training on the reservation, and then paid for on the
job training while building these facilities.
III. PURPOSE:
The purpose of this Agreement is to continue those interagency efforts
listed in attachment "A" in support of the following goals:
(1) to develop tribal administrative and business management
capabilities in the construction field;
(2) to support the long-range economic and social development of
Indian reservations;
(3) to provide better housing and community facilities, and;
(4) to provide training and employment opportunities for residents
of Indian reservations.
The reasons for transferring ONAP/OHD funds to BIA for the above
purpose are to provide an opportunity for these efforts to be
continued, to enhance our coordinated effort, and to enable ONAP to
concentrate on its tribal capacity building and other ongoing
commitments. From ONAP's experience in working with BIA's IAT, it is
confident that with BIA's fully staffed office and substantial budget
devoted to Indian construction, BIA will be able to better accomplish
our mutual objectives.
With the ONAP/OHD funds and assistance provided under this Agreement,
BIA will administer, support and operate the Construction Program for
the period of this Agreement.
IV. AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY:
A. BIA shall
(1) Assure that monies made available through this Agreement are
used for the purpose of establishing effective administrative
and management components for participating Tribally owned
construction companies and that such monies are used in addition
to, and not in substitution for, current BIA support to IAT.
(2) Develop contracts in consultation with the Indian Tribes
specified in attachment "A" in the amounts specified therein,
for achieving the purpose of this Agreement.
- 3 -
(3) Designate an Agreement coordinator before October 1, 1976
for the purpose of coordinating activities directed toward
achieving the purpose of this Agreement.
(4) Negotiate and execute contracts with the affected Tribes for
the periods and amounts specified in attachment "A" before
September 30, 1976.
(5) BIA will consult with the Indian Community to receive
policy advice and input regarding the construction programs,
advising ONAP/OHD of this input and the process utilized to
obtain this advice.
(6) Develop a monitoring plan and submit to ONAP/OHD by
January 1, 1977 for review and comment.
(7) Closely monitor programs established under the authority of
this Agreement by making quarterly on-site visits to each
participating Tribe, notifying ONAP/OHD at least 2 weeks in
advance and supplying copies of reports and data gathered
during on-site visits to ONAP/OHD within 30 days after the
visit.
(8) Assure that when requested by ONAP/OHD or when otherwise
considered appropriate or necessary project audits are
completed within 120 days after the end of the contract period.
(9) For the period of this Agreement, BIA will provide a
minimum of four (4) person years of staff effort in
administering the contracts made possible through the
Agreement.
(10) In consultation with the affected tribes, develop a T/TA
plan for provision of required T/TA and submit to ONAP/OHD
by December 1, 1976 for review and comment.
(11) Included within the total effort in part (9) above, provide
a minimum of 35 person-days of technical assistance to each
participating construction company in areas identified by
the participating tribe or as recommended by the BIA.
(12) Notify ONAP/OHD 30 days in advance of any national or regional
participant meetings.
(13) Provide for independent evaluation of participating tribal
programs and supply copies of the evaluation reports to ONAP/OHD
and to the tribe three months prior to the end of the contract
period.
- 4 -
B. ONAP/OHD shall:
(1) Provide the BIA any pertinent information about the grantee
which will facilitate the successful implementation of the
construction program(s).
(2) Designate a person at ONAP/OHD who will be responsible for
liaison with the BIA regarding the grantees and this
Agreement.
(3) Review and comment on the program progress reports of the
construction operations and make any suggestions as warranted
to the BIA for possible improvements in the successful
completion of the program.
(4) Cooperate with the BIA in all matters concerning the grantees
and their Construction Programs and will assist in any
possible manner to effectuate successful completion of this
Agreement.
(5) Notify the BIA of any forthcoming on-site visits that ONAP/OHD
will be making to coordinate T/TA and evaluation efforts as
required.
C. BIA and ONAP/OHD jointly shall review this Agreement no later than
July 1, 1977 for the purpose of considering whether or not it
should be continued, extended, modified or terminated.
V. PROPERTY:
No real property purchases are allowable.
VI. FUNDING:
Consistent with the purposes of this Agreement, ONAP/OHD hereby agrees
to transfer $1.680,000 to BIA via SF 1081 for the support of this
program.
VII. AUTHORITY:
This Agreement is made under the authority of the Economy Act, approved
June 30, 1932, as amended (31 USC 36) and under the provisions of
general and pertinent regulations of the Comptroller General.
VIII. DURATION OF AGREEMENT:
This memorandum of Agreement is for the period of one (1) year beginning
October 1, 1976, and ending September 30, 1977 as subscribed hereto
by representatives of both ONAP/OHD and BIA, and remains in effect,
- 5 -
as funded, and will be subject to review and modification by
ONAP/OHD and BIA at such times as these Agencies find it
mutually convenient to do so. If this Agreement is extended,
it is understood ONAP/OHD would transfer funds to BIA to
support those projects listed in Attachment A.
This Agreement may be terminated at the next annual
anniversary by either party upon ninety (90) days written
notice, or sooner, if agreeable to both parties after full
consideration is provided to the construction companies
affected.
For Department of Health
For Department of the
Education, & Welfare
Interior
Stanley B. Thomas, Jr.
Morris Thompson
Assistant Secretary for
Commissioner
Human Development
Bureau of Indian Affairs
Date:
Date:
FORD & LIBRARY
ATTACHMENT A
INDIAN CONSTRUCTION COMPANIES
Grantees
Funding
PYE
1. Central Tribes, Shawnee Area
$ 125,000
*
2. Coeur d'Alene
35,000
*
3. Eight Northern Pueblos**
225,000
*
4. Great Lakes ITC
205,000
*
5. Mescalero Apache
205,000
*
6. Minnesota Chippewa
150,000
*
7. Nevada ITC
150,000
*
8. Quechan
150,000
*
9. Salt River
150,000
*
10. Seminole of Oklahoma
80,000
*
11. Standing Rock Sioux
148,000
*
12. Kenai Native Association
137,000
$ 1,680,000
* All effective period 10/1/76 to 9/30/77
** .Includes $75,000 specifically for Adobe Stabilization Project
Kranswitz (OMB)
HENRY M. JACKSON, WASH., CHAIRMAN
FRANK CHURCH, IDAHO
PAUL J. FANNIN, ARIZ.
has action
LEE METCALF, MONT.
CLIFFORD P. HANSEN, WYO.
J. DENNETT JOHNSTON, LA.
MARK O. HATFIELD, OREG.
JAMES ABOUREZK, S. DAK.
JAMES A. MC CLURE, IDAHO
FLOYD K. HASKELL, COLO.
DEWEY F. BARTLETT, OKLA.
JOHN GLENN, OHIO
United States Senate
RICHARD STONE, FLA.
DALE BUMPERS, ARK.
COMMITTEE ON
GRENVILLE GARSIDE, SPECIAL COUNSEL AND STAFF DIRECTOR
INTERIOR AND INSULAR AFFAIRS
WILLIAM J. VAN NESS, CHIEF COUNSEL
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20510
September 16, 1976
Honorable Gerald R. Ford
President of the United States
White House
Washington, D.C.
Dear Mr. President:
It has recently come to my attention that portions of the money alloca-
ted to the Office of Native American Programs may be transferred to the Bur-
eau of Indian Affairs. I feel this would be a grave mistake.
The Office of Native American Programs was established because Native Amer-
ican people felt there was a need for a new innovative agency to create orig-
inal and more effective programs for Indian people. I feel O.N.A.P.'s past
record has shown its effectiveness in this area.
O.N.A.P.'s record indicated that it has the ability to use its resources
for the increased benefit of Indian people and I feel that to transfer funds
to the Bureau of Indian Affairs or any other agency is a step backward, when
forward motion is so greatly needed.
If this transfer of funds takes place, there will be a great political re-
action throughout the country on the part of Tribes, Indian organizations, and
the thousands of Native Americans who benefit from O.N.A.P. programs.
I find it strange that the B.I.A. was the agency chosen to administer the
funds. They have neither the staff required nor any experience in grants.
The B.I.A.'s primary function has been services and trust protection. This
transfer of funds seems to substantially alter the nature of the bureau.
The American Indian Policy Review Commission is reviewing the structure of
the B.I.A. and all agencies dealing in Indian matters. For H.E.W. to unilater-
ally change O.N.A.P. and the B.I.A. without letting you, me, or any of the Indi-
an people know is, at least, premature.
I would, therefore, greatly appreciate it if you would have your office in-
vestigate this situation. I would be interested in receiving any information you
turn up.
With best personal regards, I am
Sincerely,
FORD
James Abourezk U.S.S.
Honorable Gerald R. Ford
September 16, 1976
Page 2
CC:
Bradley Patterson
David Mathews
MEMORANDUM
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELFARE
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY
TO
: ONAP STAFF
OCT 81976
FROM
: Acting Director
Office of Native American Programs
SUBJECT: Staff Meeting with Mr. Brad Patterson
Per my previous memo, Mr. Patterson stopped by the ONAP Office Thursday.
His visit was rushed, however, and he was unable to meet with the ONAP
staff as he had planned.
I have made other arrangements and am pleased to report he will join
us for a staff meeting Tuesday, October 12 in our Office. As he and I
will both be coming directly from a meeting of the Inter-Departmental
Council on Indian Affairs, the time of the meeting will be as close to
11:00 am., as possible. The staff is invited to attend.
E.FORD
LIGRAR.
6/747
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
October 26, 1976
Dom -
Kindly prepare for my
signature a generalized but candid letter
which can be sent in response to all these
inquiries, and any other similar ones which
come on the ONAP/BIA matter.
Personally, I suggest that you
say that a copy of the two-agency agreement
is enclosed (and send me several copies
so I can do this). Your draft should also
indicate what consultation was held with
Indian groups about this action, assuming
some was
Please return these original
FORD
communications with your draft
LIBRARY
LIBRARY
FORD
6/747
3
Brad
Brethersond
Minuse
1
2
3
4
5
1976 OCT 18 PM 5 59
6
WHD046 553P EDT OCT 18 76
WAB186(1646) (2-043885E292)PD 10/18/76 16
1
8
ICS IPMRNCZ CSP
5
9
9164885260 NL TDRN SACRAMENTO CA 108 10-18 0446P EST
10
11
PMS PRESIDENT GERALD FORD
12
WHITE HOUSE
13
14
WASHINGTON DC 20500
15
ONCE AGAIN THE FEDERAL BUREAUCRACY MAKES A BLUNDER IN REGARDS TO
16
17
INDIAN AFFAIRS. HOW MANY TIMES MUST WE REQUEST THE U.S. GOVERNMENT
18
TO STOP MAKING DECISIONS WITHOUT THE IMPUT OF THE INDIAN PEOPLE?
19
FORM 0805 PRINTED BY THE STANDARD REGISTER COMPANY, U. S.
20
THIS IS TO INFORM YOU THAT THE INTER-TRIBAL COUNCIL OF CALIFORNIA IS
21
AGAINST THE PROPOSED TRANSFER OF ONAP CONSTRUCTION FUNDS TO THE
22
23
BUREAU OF INDIAN AFFAIRS. THE BIA CONTROLLED INDIAN ACTION TEAMS IN
24
CALIFORNIA ARE A TOTAL BLUNDER BECAUSE NO DIRECTION WAS GIVEN BY THE
25
26
BIA- COME OUT AND EVALUATE IF YOU DOUBT OUR MESSAGE- AND PLEASE
DON'T A11.0W THE TRANSFER OF $1,000.600 TN TRANSFER POTENTIAL
6/747
CUMBERLAND COUNTY
ASSOCIATION for INDIAN PEOPLE
P. .O. BOX 64243
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.
28306
October 15, 1976
President of the United States, Gerald R. Ford
White House
Washington, D.C.
Dear President Ford:
It has been brought to our attention that $2,000,000 of the FY-77 budget of
the Office of Native American Programs has been transferred to the Bureau of
Indian Affairs.
We fear this might be the initial step in possibly phaseing out the only office
responsive to the special project needs of Indian organizations throughout the
United States.
This organization which represents an Indian population of over 3,200 disapproves
of ONAP money going to the Bureau of Indian Affairs. The B.I.A.'s main resp-
onsibility has been tribal services and trust protections. Even these functions
have been ill applied. Grants management is outside their area of skill and
know-how.
We recommend that if the money cannot be returned this year it should be applied
back into the total ONAP budget next year.
We would appreciate you looking into this and keeping us posted on any action
taken concerning the matter.
Sincerely yours,
James P. Jacobs
Chairman of the Board
6/747
INTERTRIBAL FRIENDSHIP HOUSE
523 E. 14TH STREET, OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA 94606
(415) 452-1235
October 12, 1976
President Ford
White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave. N. W.
Washington, D. C. 20500
Dear Mr. President;
There are many areas of concern for the self determination of Indian
people. One area which has been the primary concern for years has
been the organization of the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA). The
BIA has certain functions which has been service and trust protection
and those services are questionable. Programs such as Office of Native
American Programs (ONAP) were funded with the intention of phasing out
in a few years. It seems as if the time has come for the phasing out
period of a lot of Native American programs. As an Indian leader in
Oakland, California, I protest the transferring of $2,000,000 from
ONAP to the BIA and request reconsideration of these monies returned
to ONAP.
Sincerely,
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
FS/cj
CC: David Matthews, Secretary, Health, Education & Welfare
Ron Dillums, House of Representatives
Dominic Matrapasqua, Acting Director, ONAP
LaDonna Harris, President, Americans for Indian Opportunity
Nicholas Petris, U. S. Senator
61747
LEGAL AID SOCIETY OF SAN DIEGO, INC.
OFFICE OF PUBLIC ATTORNEY
ROOM 430, GRANGER BUILDING
964 FIFTH AVENUE
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA 92101
TELEPHONE: 239-9611
October 11, 1976
President Gerald Ford
The White House
Washington, D.C.
Mr. President:
It has been called to our attention that $2,000,000 of the
Native American Program funds have been transferred to the
Bureau of Indian Affairs.
We are deeply concerned that this has been done seemingly
without adequate input from the tribes and Indian organi-
zations who depend on the program for funding for their
special projects.
It is our hope that the present staff feelings and concerns
will be taken into consideration in determining how the
Office of Native American Program monies will be used under
the auspices of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, as well as
reasonable participation in the decision making process by
the tribes and affected organizations.
Sincerely,
Geraldine Geraldine Moses moses
Deputy Director
GM/hp
CC: Americans for Indian Opportunity
Tahnazbah McIntire, Indian at Large,
National Board, National Clients Council
Mary Wright, National Clients Council
6/747
THE SOVEREIGN NATION For OF THE COCOPANS
THE COCOPAH INDIAN TRIBE
COCOPAH TRIBAL OFFICE
Bin G
Somerton, Arizona 85350
Telephone 627-2102 or 627-2061
Xawitt Kunyavaci
October 13, 1976
President Gerald Ford
The White House
Washington, D.C.
Dear Mr. President:
It has come to our attention that part of the Office of
Native American Programs functions have been transferred to
the Bureau of Indian Affairs. ($2,000,000 of Office of Native
American Programs funds have been transferred to the Bureau of
Indian Affairs).
We feel that this action may affect small Tribes negatively,
therefore if any action can be initiated to counter this move,
it will be considered a positive support for Indian communities
such as the Cocopah Tribe.
Sincerely,
Robert S. Barley
Robert S. Barley
Chairman
Cocopah Tribe
RSB:eg
cc.
6/747
CENTRAL COUNCIL
of the
tlingit and haida indians of alaska
130 Seward Street - Rm. 412
Juneau, Alaska 99801
(907) 586-2204, 586-2206 or 586-2293
Manpower Division: (907) 586-3405
AYMOND E. PADDOCK, JR.
President
October 15, 1976
The President of the United States
The White House
Washington, D.C. 20500
Dear President Ford:
Subject: Transfer of ONAP Funds to BIA
Word has reached the Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indians of Alaska
that $2 million of ONAP funds have been transferred to the Bureau of Indian
Affairs. It is our understanding that this was done without a Director of ONAP.
The Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indians of Alaska wishes to go on
record opposing this action for the following reasons:
1. We have in our hands, two proposals for additional ONAP
dollars to fund two very vital projects to our tribe. One is
FORD
for $44,495 for an Associate Planner in our Urban Planning
Office. The other is for approximately $85,000 to create a
LIURAR,
much-needed Management Information System (MIS) for the
Central Council. No other tribal entity in Alaska has a Ma-
nagement Information System, so this is a unique project.
Both proposals need those ONAP dollars.
2. All ONAP grantees nationwide are underfunded. What
rationale exists for a transfer of these dollars when there
are projects ready to go?
3. ONAP funds are very flexible. The variety of situations
presented in Indian country require funds of a flexible nature.
Only in this way can Self-determination be realized.
Mark Jacobs, Jr., 1st Vice President, Sitka
Richard Kito, 4th Vice President, Petersburg
Chris E. McNeil, Jr., 2nd Vice President, California
Charles Nelson, 5th Vice President
Alfred Widmark, 3rd Vice President, Juneau
Mrs. Margaret Demmert, 6th Vice President
6/747
President Ford
October 15, 1976
Page 2
4. Transfer of funds to the Bureau of Indian Affairs will make
the ONAP dollars more rigid and harder to get.
We urge the restoration of these funds to ONAP, and we support the continuance
of the Office of Native American Programs.
Sincerely,
Raynd
Raymond E. Paddock, Jr.
President
REP: eb
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
November 5, 1976
Dear Governor Garcia,
The President has asked me to
thank you for your letter of October 14
and to apologize for the delay in responding.
I checked into that ONAP/BIA
fund transfer, and find that the two agencies
have worked this out very carefully so that
the funds will really be used carefully
and more effectively. ONAP's acting head,
Mr. Mastrapasqua, recently wrote to LaDonna
Harris explaining the rationale of this
transfer, and I think the letter also answers
your own inquiry. I enclose a copy.
With best personal regards,
Bradley H. Patterson, Jr.
FORD : LIBRARY
17
PUEBLO OF ACOMA
"THE SKY CITY"
P.O. Box 64
SAN FIDEL, NEW MEXICO 87049
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
October 14, 1976
TELEPHONE 552-6606
BP
55
President Gearld Ford
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, D.C.
Dear President Ford:
I have been recently advised that $2,000,000 of the Office of
Native American Program (ONAP) funds have been transferred to the
Bureau of Indian Affairs. This has been done without a Director
of ONAP and against the advice of the present ONAP staff. The
BIA neither has the staff required nor the experience in grants.
The BIA's primary function has been services and trust protection.
Why were the funds transferred and for what purpose? What
are the future plans for ONAP - is it to be phased out? What will
happen to tribes and Indian organizations that can't get funding
any other place for their special projects?
The Pueblo of Acoma prefers working with ONAP on special
projects and grants. Furthermore, our ONAP work programs have
expanded and the $2,000,000 of ONAP funds should be appropriated
to the Tribe's to meet this expansion. Supplemental funds for BIA
should be taken from foreign aid or other categories instead of
ONAP.
I am requesting an explanation as to the transfer of funds and
until justification is received, I cannot approve this action.
Thank you and I will be awaiting your reply.
Sincerely,
Musle L haver
Merle L. Garcia
Governor
MLG/jl
STATE FORD
PROCLAIM LIBERTY
PUEBLO OF ACOMA
USA 13c
mission san estevan rey
OCT
19
THROUGHOUT ALLTHELAND
1976
P.O. Box 67
San Fidel, New Mexico 87049
P.M.
President Gerald Ford
1600 Pensylvania Avenue
Washington, D.C.
THE ASSOCIATION OF AROOSTOOK INDIANS, INC.
P. O. Box 223
HOULTON, MAINE 04730
RUSSELL SOCOBY
TEL. 532-6452
PRESIDENT
November 8, 1976
MAYNARD POLCHIES
VICE PRESIDENT
GARY ENNIS
TREASURER
SUSANNA LEVASSEUS
SECRETARY
Bradley
Patterson, Jr.
White House
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:
Our concern over the ONAP/BIA transfer, ( ref. AAI letter,
dated October 1976 and White House letter November 1, 1976 ) is
that any money transferred from ONAP to LIA is money being
alloted to recognized Indians where if the money is left with
ONAP the money is theoretically available to non-recognized
Indians.
We feel the transfer project is worthwhile since Indian
construction companies are needed. Howevever, there never seems
to be any money given for construction companies for non-recog-
nized Indians. We would like to feel that there will still be
money available for non-recognized Indian construction.
Sincerely,
President, AAI
BSB/db
FORD LIBRARY &