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Administration for Children and Families US Department of Health and Human Services
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Administration for Native Americans (ANA)

 MISSION STATEMENT


ANA promotes the goal of self-sufficiency for Native Americans by providing social and economic development opportunities through financial assistance, training, and technical assistance to eligible Tribes and Native American organizations representing nearly 4.3 million individuals.

Promoting Self-Sufficiency for Native Americans

The Administration for Native Americans (ANA) promotes the goal of social and economic self-sufficiency of American Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians and other Native American Pacific Islanders, including natives from Guam and American Samoa. Social and economic underdevelopment is the paramount obstacle to the self-sufficiency of Native American communities and families.

ANA provides grants, training, and technical assistance to eligible Tribes and Native American organizations representing 4.3 million individuals, and is the only Federal agency serving all:

  • Native Americans, including over 560 federally recognized Tribes
  • 60 Tribes that are state recognized or seeking federal recognition
  • Indian organizations
  • Indian and Alaska Native organizations
  • Native Hawaiian communities
  • Native populations throughout the Pacific basin.

 MAJOR GOALS
  • Assist Tribal and village governments, Native American institutions, and local leadership to exercise control and decision making over their resources
  • Foster the development of stable, diversified local economies and economic activities which will provide jobs, promote economic well-being, and reduce dependency on public funds and social services
  • Support local access to, control of, and coordination of services and programs that safeguard the health and well-being of people and are essential to a thriving and self-sufficient community.

Projects that help to promote the economic and social development of Native Americans are:

  • creation of new jobs
  • development or expansion of business enterprises
  • social services initiatives
  • establishment of Tribal employment offices
  • creating and implementing environmental standards and codes
  • training in the use and control of natural resources
  • improved oversight of Tribal and Native American governments and organizations
  • establishment of local court systems.

Social and Economic Development Strategies (SEDS)

ANA promotes lasting self-sufficiency and enhances self-government largely through grants with SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES (SEDS). These are competitive, financial assistance grants that support locally designed and determined projects that address community needs and goals. Promoting self-sufficiency has moved the focus away from dependency and toward productivity through community development, benefiting both the individual and community.

SEDS commits the Federal government to fostering self-determination and self-governance for Native American people, and it promotes consultation and increased Tribal authority in the administering of Federal funds.


Language Preservation

Congress has recognized that over the past 500 years there has been a dramatic decrease in the number of surviving Indian and Native American languages. The Native American Languages Act (Public Law 102-534) addresses this decline and makes money available to promote the survival and continuing vitality of these languages.

Funding

— In 2004, $2.0 million is available for language preservation of Native American languages.


Environmental Regulatory Enhancement

ANA has funds available for the Environmental Regulatory Enhancement (Environmental) Program. The Native American Programs Act of 1974 was amended to strengthen tribal governments through building capacity in order to identify, plan, develop and implement environmental programs in a manner that is consistent with tribal culture. This program emphasizes community-based partnerships and projects.

Funding
— In 2004 $3.0 million is available for Environmental Regulatory Enhancement.


Intra-Departmental Council on Native American Affairs

The Commissioner of ANA is the Chair of the Intra-Departmental Council on Native American Affairs (ICNAA) and advises the Secretary of Heath and Human Services on Native American issues. The ICNAA is the focal point for all initiatives affecting Native American people. Under its charter, ICNAA coordinates and encourages the cooperation of the department's and other federal agencies' resources for Native American people. It also develops and implements a meaningful policy on Native American affairs for the entire department. It ensures that this policy will be applied consistently throughout the department and, where possible, throughout the Federal government.


 CONTACT INFORMATION


Administration for Native Americans
370 L'Enfant Promenade
Aerospace Center
Washington, DC 20447-0002
Phone: Toll Free 1.877.922.9262
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E-mail US

Updated August 2004
Office of Public Affairs (OPA)