Jay Spaan Citizen of the Cherokee Nation Sr. Analyst, U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) Board member, Society of American Indian Government Employees (SAIGE) spaanj@gao.gov 214-777-5636

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) is an independent, nonpartisan agency that works for Congress. Our Mission is to support the Congress in meeting its constitutional responsibilities and to help improve the performance and ensure the accountability of the federal government for the benefit of the American people. We provide Congress with timely information that is objective, fact-based, nonpartisan, nonideological, fair, and balanced. Our Work is done at the request of congressional committees or subcommittees or is mandated by public laws or committee reports. We also undertake research under the authority of the Comptroller General.

Every 2 years at the start of a new Congress, GAO calls attention to federal agencies that are high risk due to their vulnerabilities and mismanagement or are most in need of transformation.

In 2017, GAO added Federal management of Indian education, energy, and healthcare programs that serve tribes and their members to the high-risk list.

How do agencies get removed from the list? Leadership Commitment Capacity Action Plan Monitoring Demonstrated Progress

Increased attention from federal agencies from Congress

The focus of our high risk issue area is on management weaknesses within federal agencies that administer programs that serve tribes and their members. However, not all federal programs are administered by federal agencies. In accordance with federal Indian policy that recognizes the right of Indian tribes to self-government and supports tribal self-determination, a number of tribes have elected to take over administration of certain federal programs and services from BIA, BIE, and IHS. Our recommendations identified in the high risk issue area do not necessarily reflect on the performance of programs administered by tribes.

For additional information about the high-risk area: Frank Rusco (Energy) (202) 512-3841 or ruscof@gao.gov Melissa Emrey-Arras (Education) (617) 788-0534 or EmreyArrasM@gao.gov Kathleen King (Healthcare) (202) 512-7114 or KingK@gao.gov

Suggestions for improvement or areas to focus our attention? U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs’ Subcommittee on Regulatory Affairs and Federal Management Conducting a review to describe how tribal nations are using various mechanisms, such as self-governance compacts, self-determination contracts, the HEARTH Act, and Section 17 Tribal Corporations to take over administration of federal programs,  functions, services, and activities from BIA. The review will also identify factors that have facilitated or hindered tribal nations from taking over federal programs and functions through the various mechanisms. Suggestions for improvement or areas to focus our attention?     CONTACTS: Jay Spaan, spaanj@gao.gov or 214-777-5636 Leigh White, whitelm@gao.gov or 214-777-5640

Public-Private Partnerships for Broadband on Tribal Lands This review will focus on the federal programs that support public-private partnerships meant to increase broadband access on tribal lands, including Indian tribes experiences with these partnerships, any challenges encountered, and lessons learned.   Contact: Jade Winfree at 202-512-4245 or winfreej@gao.gov Accuracy of data on broadband deployment on tribal lands Focuses on the data collected and reported by FCC regarding broadband deployment on tribal lands, including the accuracy of the data, any steps that could be taken to improve the data, and the extent to which the data is used to determine eligibility for broadband funding. Contact: Crystal Huggins at 202-512-6999 or HugginsC1@gao.gov Indian Health Service Workforce Contact: Kathy King  at (202) 512-7114 or KingK@gao.gov

Tribal Consultation Practices GAO is conducting an audit of selected federal agencies’ tribal consultation policies and practices for infrastructure projects, including a review of challenges faced by tribes and agencies during the consultation process. Contact: Swati Thomas, thomass1@gao.gov, (202) 512-3723 Superfund Activities On or Near Tribal Lands Indian Youth in the Juvenile Justice System Trafficking of Native American Artifacts