On our website, you will learn more about the wonderful work IAD is doing for New Mexico and for the Indian citizens of our great state. As the first and only cabinet level state Indian affairs department in the nation, we continue to set the standard for what is possible when state and tribal governments work together to address mutual concerns in respectful and positive dialogue between sovereign governments.

National Congress of American Indians

8th Annual State of Indian Nations Address:
"Sovereignty and the Future of Indian Nations", by Jefferson Keel, President

H1N1 Guidance and Planning

2009 H1N1 Influenza Planning and Response: Resource Guide for American Indian/Alaska Native Tribal Governments

Featured News:

Indian Day at the New Mexico Legislature
February 5, 2010

IAD Native American Programs and Services Directory
Posted January 22, 2010

Tribal Resource Guide
2009-2010 - Provides information on identifying and accessing sources of funding for tribal capital improvement projects.

Native American Tax Settlement Fund Information
Effective December 1, 2009

KRQE news story 3/19/09 - "New law promotes state-tribal relations"

Major Breakthrough Announced on Settlement of Cobell Litigation

On December 8, 2009, the Departments of Interior and Justice and Eloise Cobell announced a settlement of the ongoing Cobell trust accounting litigation on behalf of Individual Indian account holders. The terms of the settlement:

1. $1.4 billion dollars for settlement of accounting and mismanagement claims. This fund will be divided into two parts. Each account holder would receive $1000 for historical accounting claims. Resource mismanagement claims will be settled under a court-approved formula. The lawsuit must be modified to add resource mismanagement claims (not a part of the current litigation).
   
   
2. $2 billion for addressing fractionation of individual Indian land. Small fractionated interests would be purchased from Indian landowners on a voluntary basis, and the consolidated land will be turned over to tribes under the terms of the Indian Land Consolidation Act.
   
   
3. Creation of a Secretarial Commission on Indian Trust to make recommendations and oversee a performance audit of trust systems and controls. This provision appears to be intended to review the sunset of the Office of Special Trustee.
   
   
4. Approval by Congress and the Federal District Court Required. The settlement anticipates that Congressional approval will be required in order to use the federal Judgment Fund for the settlement. In addition, the overall terms of the settlement must be approved by the U.S. District Court.

There are many more details about the settlement available on the Department of Interior website at www.doi.gov and at www.cobellsettlement.com. Or call 1-800-961-6109.

The proposed settlement of the litigation represents a significant breakthrough on an issue that has troubled Indian country for many decades. The settlement amount is lower than was expected when the litigation began, but is significantly higher than the $456 million awarded by Judge Robertson after a trial in 2008. The higher amount likely represents the value of adding trust mismanagement claims to the accounting claims. In addition, the funds for consolidating fractionated lands under tribal ownership will help to resolve longstanding land management problems and will increase economic development opportunities.

PILOT TRIBAL CONSULTATION EFFORTS BY THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:
STUDY OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF EXECUTIVE ORDER 2005-004

Adobe PDF, 1.25 MB

Economic Stimulus Information:

New Mexico Office of Recovery and Reinvestment Website: The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 will create or save 3.5 million good paying jobs nationally over the next two years, more than 90 percent of which will be in the private sector. According to the White House, 22,000 of these jobs will be in New Mexico. To learn more about the economic recovery package, visit http://www.recovery.state.nm.us.

New Mexico Delegation Unveils Recovery Package Resource Guide: (March 10, 2009) The New Mexico congressional delegation today unveiled a resource guide designed to help ensure that New Mexico can make the most of the economic recovery package enacted into law last month. Browse the guide at http://www.bingaman.senate.gov/policy/stimulus_guide.cfm.

Visit the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) information center for The American Economic Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Stimulus) – Indian Country Works, including news and events:   http://www.indiancountryworks.org/.

Do you want to receive the most up-to-date information about the economic stimulus in Indian Country, including: upcoming webinars, trainings and meetings; important bulletins and information about grants and how to access stimulus funds; and other valuable resource materials from NCAI and its partners?  If so, go to: http://www.indiancountryworks.org/subscribe.cfm and sign up now!

To learn more about grant opportunities through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, you can also visit http://www.grants.gov/applicants/recovery.jsp.

Read NCAI President Joe Garcia's State of the Indian Nations Speech (2/10/09) by clicking on link:
http://www.ncai.org/fileadmin/2009_SOIN_FINAL_for_Release_02-10-09.pdf

See Cabinet Secretary Alvin Warren interviewed by KRQE Channel 13 about Tribal Infrastructure Challenges in New Mexico (1/8/09):
http://www.krqe.com/dpp/news/krqe_mornings/mornings_krqe_pueblo_infrastructure_200901080645

To connect to the New Mexico Tourism Department's "New Mexico Native America" link, go to:  http://www.newmexico.org/native_america

To request additions or corrections to our website, please contact Ben Fletcher, Public Relations & Communications, at 505-476-1681 or ben.fletcher@state.nm.us  Thank you!