Jay Spaan

Citizen of the Cherokee Nation

Sr. Analyst, U.S. Government

Accountability Office (GAO)

Board member, Society of American Indian

Government Employees (SAIGE)

spaanj@gao.gov
214-777-5636
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) is an independent,
nonpartisan agency that works for Congress.

Our Mission is to support the Congress in meeting its

constitutional responsibilities and to help improve the
performance and ensure the accountability of the federal
government for the benefit of the American people. We provide
Congress with timely information that is objective, fact-based,
nonpartisan, nonideological, fair, and balanced.

Our Work is done at the request of congressional committees or

subcommittees or is mandated by public laws or committee
reports. We also undertake research under the authority of the
Comptroller General.
Every 2 years at the start of a
new Congress, GAO calls
attention to federal agencies
that are high risk due to their
vulnerabilities and
mismanagement or are most
in need of transformation.
In 2017, GAO added
Federal
management of
Indian education,
energy, and
healthcare
programs that serve
tribes and their
members to the
high-risk list.
How do agencies get
removed from the list?

•Leadership
Commitment

•Capacity

•Action Plan

•Monitoring

•Demonstrated
Progress
Increased attention
from federal
agencies

Increased attention
from Congress
 The focus of our high risk issue area is on management weaknesses
within federal agencies that administer programs that serve tribes and their
members. However, not all federal programs are administered by federal
agencies. In accordance with federal Indian policy that recognizes the right
of Indian tribes to self-government and supports tribal self-determination, a
number of tribes have elected to take over administration of certain federal
programs and services from BIA, BIE, and IHS. Our recommendations
identified in the high risk issue area do not necessarily reflect on the
performance of programs administered by tribes.
For additional information about the high-risk area:

Frank Rusco (Energy)

(202) 512-3841 or ruscof@gao.gov

Melissa Emrey-Arras (Education)

(617) 788-0534 or EmreyArrasM@gao.gov

Kathleen King (Healthcare)

(202) 512-7114 or KingK@gao.gov
•U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and
Governmental Affairs’ Subcommittee on Regulatory Affairs and
Federal Management

•Conducting a review to describe how tribal nations are using

various mechanisms, such as self-governance compacts, self-
determination contracts, the HEARTH Act, and Section 17 Tribal
Corporations to take over administration of federal programs,
functions, services, and activities from BIA.

•The review will also identify factors that have facilitated or

hindered tribal nations from taking over federal programs and
functions through the various mechanisms.

•Suggestions for improvement or areas to focus our attention?

CONTACTS:
Jay Spaan, spaanj@gao.gov or 214-777-5636
Leigh White, whitelm@gao.gov or 214-777-5640
Public-Private Partnerships for Broadband on Tribal Lands

This review will focus on the federal programs that support public-
private partnerships meant to increase broadband access on tribal
lands, including Indian tribes experiences with these partnerships, any
challenges encountered, and lessons learned.

Contact: Jade Winfree at 202-512-4245 or winfreej@gao.gov

Accuracy of data on broadband deployment on tribal lands

Focuses on the data collected and reported by FCC regarding

broadband deployment on tribal lands, including the accuracy of the
data, any steps that could be taken to improve the data, and the extent
to which the data is used to determine eligibility for broadband funding.

Contact: Crystal Huggins at 202-512-6999 or HugginsC1@gao.gov

Indian Health Service Workforce

Contact: Kathy King at (202) 512-7114 or KingK@gao.gov

Tribal Consultation Practices

GAO is conducting an audit of selected federal agencies’ tribal

consultation policies and practices for infrastructure projects, including
a review of challenges faced by tribes and agencies during the
consultation process.

Contact: Swati Thomas, thomass1@gao.gov, (202) 512-3723

Superfund Activities On or Near Tribal Lands

Indian Youth in the Juvenile Justice System

Trafficking of Native American Artifacts