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Bill to abolish U.S. relocation office moves forward 

Navajo Times 11.03.05 WASHINGTON On Oct. 27, the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs
approved several bills, including S. 1003, the Navajo-Hopi Land
Settlement Amendments Act, which was reported favorably by a voice
vote, according to the Navajo Nation Washington Office.

The bill would close the federal Office of Navajo-Hopi Relocation
Office Sept. 30, 2008, and transfer any future relocation claims to the
U.S. Department of the Interior. The Navajo Nation has opposed this
move and has testified against this legislation in July.

S. 1057, the Indian Health Care Reauthorization Act, would allow for
appropriation through 2015 and would permit the creation of new
programs for urban and rural Native Americans.

An amendment to the bill attempted to end the dental program currently
serving Alaskan Natives. This program allows trained dental
technicians to provide dental procedures that are normally allowed for
degreed individuals to perform.

While the amendment was defeated, new language was added to the bill
that would prevent the expansion of the technician program to the lower
48 states.

Additionally language to the bill allows for the establishment of $1.5
million demonstration program for Native American youth, which would
test the effrectiveness of providing telemedicine for suicide
prevention and other mental health conditions.

Another bill reported favorably by voice bote was S. 1892, which allows
more time for Native Americans to file claims against the federal
government for trust account mismanagement.

This bill grew out of the Cobell v. Norton case, which has a Dec. 31,
2005, expiration date for new claims as this case works its way through
the courts. S. 1892 extends that deadline to the end of 2011.

All these bills now await consideration by the full Senate.