Native American Affairs Program
Program Support—Commissioner's Office
Featured Resources:
Commissioner's Office Support
Contact Information
Commissioner's Office Support
Reclamation established the Native American Affairs Office in 1989, to provide leadership for Reclamation's activities
benefiting or otherwise affecting Indian tribes. The office was merged with the International Affairs Office in 2007, to become the Native American and International Affairs Office (NAIAO). Organizationally, NAIAO is part of Reclamation's Commissioner's Office. NAIAO is headed by a Program Manager in Denver, Colorado, while staff are located in Washington, D.C.; Denver, Colorado; and Boulder City, Nevada. NAIAO endeavors to work closely with the Regional Native American Affairs Program Managers, as well as others in the Commissioner's Office and Regional and Area Offices.
NAIAO responsibilities include:
- Developing and coordinating policy guidance for Reclamation's overall Native American Program, including Reclamation's activities pertaining to the Secretary of the Interior's Indian trust responsibility, government-to-government consultation with federally recognized Indian tribes, Indian Self-Determination and Tribal Self-Governance (Public Law 93-638 Program), and Indian sacred sites.
- Working closely with Reclamation Regional Offices to provide technical assistance to Indian tribes through the Native American Affairs Technical Assistance Program.
- Leading Reclamation's participation in the U.S. Department of the Interior's Indian Water Rights Settlements Program.
- Leading or participating in special initiatives for Reclamation's Commissioner.
- Coordinating with the U.S. Department of the Interior on intra-departmental initiatives.
- Coordinating with other Government offices, bureaus, and agencies on matters affecting their respective Indian programs.
- Providing training programs to Reclamation employees to enable them to work more effectively with Indian tribes.
- Implementing or coordinating other activities aimed at removing barriers to create more effective relationships between Reclamation and the Indian tribes Reclamation works with.
Contact Information
| Name, Title | Telephone Number | |
| Jeffrey (Jeff) Morris Program Manager, Native American and International Affairs Office |
(303) 445-3373 | jmorris@usbr.gov |
