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The Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) is holding an online meeting for the Advisory Board for Exceptional Children to comply with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 2004 (IDEA) for Indian children with disabilities. The meeting will occur on January 27-28, 2021, and is open to the public, with several updates and public commenting sessions scheduled. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all activity will be conducted online, and details for joining the meeting or submitting public comments are provided.

The Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs has approved the fifth amendment to the Tribal-State compact for class III gaming between the Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians of Washington and the State of Washington. This amendment permits the operation of electronic table games and eliminates requirements related to revenue sharing for smoking cessation purposes. The approval is guided by the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, which mandates the Secretary of the Interior to approve such compacts. The changes will be effective from January 15, 2025.

The Department of Interior is delaying the effective date of a final rule regarding the Federal acknowledgment process for American Indian tribes. Originally set for February 14, 2025, the new effective date is now March 21, 2025. This change follows a Presidential Memorandum ordering a freeze on certain regulations to allow for further review. The rule introduces a process called "re-petition authorization," enabling tribes previously denied acknowledgment the chance to reapply, under specific conditions.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs has made a final decision to take ownership of approximately 160.333 acres of land, known as the Vallejo Site in Solano County, California, to be held in trust for the Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians. This decision will allow the land to be used for gaming and other purposes. The action is authorized by the Indian Reorganization Act and will be completed once all Department requirements are met.

The Presidential Memorandum titled “Federal Recognition of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina” has been published. This memorandum directs the Secretary of the Interior to assist the Lumbee Tribe in obtaining full federal recognition, including access to federal benefits. The Secretary must submit a plan within 90 days, considering legal pathways such as congressional acts or judicial actions. The memorandum emphasizes the significance of the Lumbee Tribe and the U.S. policy to support their full federal recognition.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs has released a notice that updates the list of 574 federally recognized Tribal entities eligible to receive funding and services. This list, which includes Indian Tribes in the contiguous United States and Alaska, reflects changes such as name modifications for certain Tribes. The notice follows updated regulations and continues to recognize these Tribes for their unique Government-to-Government relationship with the United States.

The Department of the Interior is announcing that the Mattaponi Indian Tribe and Reservation has submitted a petition to be recognized as an official American Indian Tribe. They are asking the public to provide comments and evidence regarding this petition by May 6, 2025. Interested individuals can access the narrative portion of the petition on the Office of Federal Acknowledgment's website and send their responses to the Department of the Interior either by mail or email. This notice aims to involve the public early in the process and improve transparency about petitions for tribal acknowledgment.

The Office of Self-Governance has announced a deadline of March 1, 2025, for Indian tribes or consortia to submit applications to start participating in the tribal self-governance program in fiscal year 2026 or calendar year 2026. To be eligible, tribes must have completed planning, shown fiscal stability, and meet specific audit requirements. The announcement provides guidance on the application process, anticipating that initial negotiations may take about two months, aiming to have agreements signed by July 1 for fiscal year arrangements and October 1 for calendar year agreements.

The Bureau of Trust Funds Administration (BTFA) is renewing an information collection regarding Tribal Trust Evaluations. The BTFA is asking for public comments by February 13, 2025, as part of an effort to reduce paperwork and assess the impact of these collections. This collection is crucial for administering trust fund accounts for Tribes and individuals. It involves evaluating how Tribes manage trust programs, with each Tribe required to participate once per year.

The Department of the Interior has announced that the Tuskarora Nation of Moratoc Indians has submitted a petition to be officially recognized as an American Indian Tribe. The Department is inviting the public to provide comments and evidence regarding this petition, which must be received by April 15, 2025. Details about the petition and how to submit comments are available on the Bureau of Indian Affairs' website. This initiative is part of an effort to enhance transparency and public access to tribal acknowledgment processes.