Who We Serve
The Office of the Assistant Secretary – Indian Affairs is headed by the Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs (AS-IA). The Assistant Secretary - Indian Affairs assists the Secretary of the Interior in fulfilling the Department’s trust responsibilities to American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) tribes and individuals. The position of the Assistant Secretary- Indian Affairs is established under the authority contained in 43 U.S.C. 1453.
The Assistant Secretary discharges the duties of the Secretary with the authority and direct responsibility to:
- Strengthen the government-to-government/nation-to-nation relationship with American Indian and Alaska Native tribes,
- Advocate policies that support AI/AN self-determination and tribal sovereignty,
- Protect and preserve AI/AN trust assets held by the Federal Government for their benefit, and
- Administer a wide array of laws, regulations, and functions relating to AI/AN tribes, individual AI/AN trust beneficiaries, tribal members, and Indian Affairs bureaus, offices, and programs that are vested in the Secretary by the President and the Congress of the United States.
Services We Provide
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About the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs
The Office of the Assistant Secretary – Indian Affairs (OAS-IA) includes the following:
- Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary – Indian Affairs (PDAS)
- Deputy Assistant Secretary - Policy and Economic Development (DAS-PED)
- Deputy Assistant Secretary Indian Affairs (Management) (DASM)
Indian Affairs (IA) is a unique organization within the Federal Government. Four components make up the IA organization within the Interior Department:
- Office of the Assistant Secretary – Indian Affairs (OAS-IA)
- Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)
- Bureau of Indian Education (BIE)
- Bureau of Trust Funds Administration (BTFA)
Each component supports federally recognized AI/AN tribal governments by directly administering (direct service) or funding tribally administered IA, BIA, and BIE programs. Together, they work to support federally recognized tribal nations and AI/AN trust beneficiaries nationally, regionally, and locally.
