1. Jay Spaan Citizen of the Cherokee Nation
Sr. Analyst, U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO)
Board member, Society of American Indian Government Employees (SAIGE)

2. 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.

3. 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.

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

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

6. Increased attention
from federal agencies
from Congress

9. 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.

10. For additional information about the high-risk area:
Frank Rusco (Energy)
(202) or
Melissa Emrey-Arras (Education)
(617) or
Kathleen King (Healthcare)
(202) or

11. 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, or
Leigh White, or

12. 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 or
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 or
Indian Health Service Workforce
Contact: Kathy King  at (202) or

13. 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, (202)
Superfund Activities On or Near Tribal Lands
Indian Youth in the Juvenile Justice System
Trafficking of Native American Artifacts