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Show -4- - llnnday, Mardi 27, 197S Tkt Uts Bullstis Bureau Requests Budget Increase For 1976 Bureau of Indian Affairs has requested a substantial increase in funding fa the operation of Indian programs in fiscal year 1976. Its budget The request of $526.9 million for these programs is approximately $48 million greater thin the appropriations for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1975. In addition to the funds requested for the operation of Indian programs, the Bureau has requested appropriation of $61.4 million for construction of irrigation systems, buildings and utilities; $66.7 million for road construction; $70 million for Alaska Native Claims; $12 million to complete the authorized funding of the Indian Revolving Loan Fund, and $20 million for the Loan Guaranty and Insurance Fund. The appropriation request totals $757,031,00p. For the first time funds were specifically requested for the payment of certain administrative costs connected with tribal contracts for the operation of Indian programs. This item accounts for $11.2 million of the $48 million increase. The Indian Action Team program also received an increase exceeding $11 million. I'he expanded program will provide for 50 contracts involving more than 3,000 Indians in training and work experience projects that normally result in the construction of facilities for community development. For Indian Education Programs $230.2 million was requested. This is an increase of $3.7 million. The request includes about $32 million for higher education assistance and $28 million in Johnson-O'Malle- y funds for programs in public schools. More than $106.1 million was requested for Indian services an increase of $6.1 million. This includes $12 million for aid to tribal governments; $6.l million for social services; $13.6 million for law enforcement, and $14.3 million for housing. - While most of the new home construction on reservations is the responsibility of the Department of Housing and Urban Development under separate appropriations, Bureau of Indian Affairs programs will provide for about 400 new homes and more than 2,250 renovations. The request for $86.5 million for tribal resources development, including the Indian Action Team expansion, is an increase of $16.2 million. Some of the larger items in this request were $26.4 million for forestry and agriculture; $14 million for direct employment, and $14 million for business enterprises: This last item includes $10 million authorized by the Indian Financing Act of 1974. For trust responsibilities and services an increase $20.9 million was requested of $2.3 million. Among other things, this increase will permit initiating 35 - additional water studies, and completing 5 water use plans now underway. It will also provide for increasing land appraisals, lease and management services and strengthening trust fund management and accounting services. A request of $83.2 million was submitted for general management and facilities operations. This is an increase of $18.2 million, but includes the request for Indian contract support funds. Almost $60 million of this amount is for the operation, repair, maintenance and leasing of physical facilities in support of Bureau programs. For the general management and administration of the Bureau is $7.8 million and $2.6 million for annual program planning and development at the reservation level. The construction program in fiscal, year 1976 includes funds for 8 additional kindergarten classrooms and 8 related staff quarters; for a joint sewage disposal system at Sitka, Alaska; construction of St. Michaels Day School, Alaska; second phase construction of Diomede Day School, Alaska; construction of the second phase of Santa Rosa School, Arizona; construction of a rehabilitation, treatment and incarceration facility at San Carlos, Arizona; construction of the third phase of the Sherman Indian High School, California; and construction of a replacement high school at Fort Yates, North Dakota on the Standing Rock Reservation. Funds also will provide for design drawings for future projects and the purchase of equipment for facilities now under construction. Total request for FY 1976 is $31.0 million. The proposed budget estimates for irrigation systems for fiscal year 1976 provides $22.8 million for the Navajo Indian Irrigation Project located in New Mexico and $7.6 million for other irrigation projects and related power systems. Navajos Seize Plant In Shiprock ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AIPA) Shortly after midnight, on Feb. 24, a group of between 20 and 30 Navajos from the Shiprock Chapter of the American Indian Movement (AIM) seized a Fairchild Corporation plant located in Shiprock, N.M., approximately 30 miles from the town of Farmington. All operations at the electrical assembly plant have been halted since the occupation took place. A plant guard, reportedly held hostage overnight, was thought to have been released on the fnorning of the 24th. The plant is believed to be owned by the Navajo Nation and leased to the Fairchild Corporation, and lies on the Navajo Reservation. As a curtain-raise- r to the actions of the 24th, Fairchid laid off a total of 140 employees on Feb. 20, almost all of whom are Navajo, because of the sagging economic market for electrical components. The plant employs approximately 475 persons of which 97 are Navajo people. On the morning of the a number of plant employees gathered outside the structure. The employees circulated a petition which included the semi-conduct- trice-ove- r, following demands: that the 140 dismissed employees be reinstated immediately; " that all policy changes be made by workers rather than by top-lev- that the Indian Health Service and Public Health Service increase their facilities and health care treatment of Navajo people; that all coal, gas and oil development leases to Arizona Public Service Company and Utah International (the main electrical and coal developers in the area) be canceled immediately; that higher level positions within Fairchild be held by Indians rather than non-Indian- s; that total amnesty be granted to all people who have seized the plant. The seizure of the Fairchild plant appears to be part of the thinking and the mood of Indian people in the Shiprock area, rather than an extraordinary event. On the first evening of the take-ovein there were Indian Albuquerque, N.M., meetings between groups that may soon be identified as support groups for the plant seige. The meetings were attended by representatives of the following groups: the Kiva Club of the University of New Mexico, the National Indian Youth Council, the recently formed Coalition for Navajo Liberation and Navajo members r, V. DELILAH REYOS was among those attending the Fourth Annual Indian Agricultural and Home Management Conference held at the Brigham Young University. Delilah models a traditional Ute Indian dress at a fashion show for the women attending the conference. lliiit el Fairchild officials; of AIM. |