The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) published a notice in the December 17, 2020, Federal Register that the deadline for Indian tribes/consortia to submit completed applications to begin participation in the Self-Governance program in fiscal year 2022 or calendar year 2022 is March 1, 2021. The notice is attached.
Agreements for fiscal year 2022 need to be signed and submitted to tribes who are party to the agreement by July 1, 2021. Agreements for calendar year 2022 need to be signed and submitted by October 1, 2021.
Tribes who are seeking to begin participation in self-governance must complete a planning phase that: 1) is conducted to the satisfaction of the tribe, and 2) includes legal and budgetary research and internal tribal planning, training and organizational preparation.
This is the first BIA self-governance solicitation since enactment of the Practical Reforms and Other Goals to Reinforce the Effectiveness of Self-Governance and Self-Determination (PROGRESS) for Indian Tribes Act was signed into law on October 21, 2020, as Public Law 116-180.
Tribes/tribal consortia that are currently involved in self-governance negotiations with the BIA or already have a signed agreement do not need to respond to this notice.
Please let us know if we may provide additional information or assistance regarding the BIA Self-Governance program.
