Indian Affairs Looking for Input on 2013 Labor Force Report

Native News Network Staff in Native Currents. Discussion »

WASHINGTON – Assistant Secretary-Indian Affairs Kevin K. Washburn Thursday announced that Indian Affairs will be holding informational and consultation sessions in the coming weeks seeking input from tribal leaders in preparation for the Interior Department's 2013 American Indian Population and Labor Force Report. The sessions will provide an opportunity for tribal leaders to provide their views on what should comprise the report's scope, data, and methodology.

Last Published in 2005

“It is important to identify the best policies and strategies for promoting economic development in Indian Country,”

Washburn said.

"As we begin to develop the 2013 Labor Force Report, I encourage tribal leaders to provide us with their insights and thoughts on how the report can be accurately and effectively produced and can best help tribes address job training and employment needs."

Tribal leaders will be asked to provide their ideas on issues such as data collection, definitions of "service population" and other terms, how service populations should be measured, and other issues in order for the Department to meet the report's 2013 deadline. The Department did not publish a report in 2010 because the data collected did not meet the standards of quality and reliability that are required of federal agencies in reporting official statistics.

Two informational sessions will be held for the exchange of information and to receive informal comments:

WHAT:
Alaska Federation of Natives Annual Conference

WHEN:
October 20, 9:00 am - 12:00 noon

WHERE:
Dena'ina Center
600 W 7th Ave., Second Floor - Room 3
Anchorage, Alaska 99501

WHAT:
National Congress of American Indians 69th Annual Convention

WHEN:
October 24, 6:00 - 8:00 pm

WHERE:
Sacramento Convention Center
1400 J Street, Room 305
Sacramento, California 95814

In addition to the listening sessions, there will be four consultation sessions - three in-person and one via a national teleconference:

WHAT:
Listening Sessions

WHEN:
October 29, 8:30 am - 12:30 pm

WHERE:
Hilton Garden Inn
801 South Meridian
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73108

WHEN:
October 30, 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm

WHERE:
Bureau of Indian Affairs Western Regional Office
Office, 2600 North Central Ave
Eagle and Buffalo Rooms, Fourth Floor
Phoenix, Arizona 85004

WHEN:
November 1, 8:30 am - 12:30 pm

WHERE:
Holiday Inn Rushmore Plaza
505 North 5th Street
Rapid City, South Dakota 57701

WHEN:
November 9, 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Phone in using 877.716.4290 and participant code 5074051
For technical assistance during the call 202.208.7163

Public Law 102-477, the Indian Employment, Training, and Related Services Demonstration Act of 1992, as amended, requires the Department to publish the American Indian Population and Labor Force Report at least once every two years. Section 17 of the Act requires the report to capture the population eligible for services the Secretary provides to American Indians at the national level by state, Bureau of Indian Affairs service area and tribal level.

Written comments may be submitted by email to consultation@bia.gov no later than November 12. For more information and to view background and explanatory materials related to the listening and consultation sessions, please see “Preparation for American Indian Population and Labor Force Report.

posted October 19, 2012 6:59 am edt