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Native American Issues

There are more than 560 federally recognized Indian tribes. On Indian reservations, poverty is still commonplace and tribes face a number of social and economic challenges. The scope of the United States’ responsibilities to Native Americans includes a wide range of services provided by more than 20 federal agencies.

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Federally recognized tribes have a government-to-government relationship with the United States and are eligible to receive certain protections, services, and benefits by virtue of their unique status as Indian tribes. Both the Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Department of Health and Human Services’ Indian Health Service estimate their respective service populations to be about 2 million people. The estimated governmentwide funding for Native American programs has been about $19 billion annually.

In some cases, multiple agencies are involved in providing protections, benefits, and services for Native Americans. For example:

  • tribal contracting under the Small Business Administration’s 8(a) program (GAO-12-84),

  • the repatriation of Native American human remains and objects (GAO-10-768).

In other cases, individual agencies focus on certain programs, such as:

  • land management programs provided by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (GAO-06-781),

  • Indian health care programs provided by the Indian Health Service (GAO-12-29),

  • Indian education programs provided by either the Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Indian Education or the Department of Education (GAO-10-32),

  • Indian housing programs provided by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (GAO-10-326), and

  • tribal justice programs provided by the Department of Justice (GAO-12-658R).
Looking for our recommendations? Click on any report to find each associated recommendation and its current implementation status.

Tribal Law and Order Act

None of the Surveyed Tribes Reported Exercising the New Sentencing Authority, and the Department of Justice Could Clarify Tribal Eligibility for Certain Grant Funds
GAO-12-658R, May 30, 2012

Indian Issues

Federal Funding for Non-Federally Recognized Tribes
GAO-12-348, Apr 12, 2012

Federal Contracting

Monitoring and Oversight of Tribal 8(a) Firms Need Attention
GAO-12-84, Jan 31, 2012

Indian Health Service

Continued Efforts Needed to Help Strengthen Response to Sexual Assaults and Domestic Violence
GAO-12-29, Oct 26, 2011

Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act

After Almost 20 Years, Key Federal Agencies Still Have Not Fully Complied with the Act
GAO-10-768, Jul 28, 2010

More Reports

VA and IHS

Further Action Needed to Collaborate on Providing Health Care to Native American Veterans
GAO-13-354, Apr 26, 2013

Indian Health Service

Capping Payment Rates for Nonhospital Services Could Save Millions of Dollars for Contract Health Services
GAO-13-272, Apr 11, 2013

Border Security

Partnership Agreements and Enhanced Oversight Could Strengthen Coordination of Efforts on Indian Reservations
GAO-13-352, Apr 5, 2013

Indian Affairs

Management Challenges Continue to Hinder Efforts to Improve Indian Education
GAO-13-342T, Feb 27, 2013

Flood Insurance

Participation of Indian Tribes in Federal and Private Programs
GAO-13-226, Jan 4, 2013

Regional Alaska Native Corporations

Status 40 Years after Establishment, and Future Considerations
GAO-13-121, Dec 13, 2012

Indian Health Service

Action Needed to Ensure Equitable Allocation of Resources for the Contract Health Service Program
GAO-12-446, Jun 15, 2012

Indigent Defense

Surveys of Grant Recipients, Select Tribes, and Indigent Defense Providers
GAO-12-661SP, May 30, 2012

Indian Health Service

Increased Oversight Needed to Ensure Accuracy of Data Used for Estimating Contract Health Service Need
GAO-11-767, Sep 23, 2011

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families

HHS Needs to Improve Guidance and Monitoring of Tribal Programs
GAO-11-758, Sep 15, 2011
More...
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