INTERTRIBAL MONITORING ASSOCIATION on Indian Trust Funds
2800
San Mateo Blvd NE -
Phone: 505/247-1447
Fax: 505/247-1449 e-mail:
itma@itmatrustfunds.org
MEETING REPORT
OST Principal Deputy
Special Trustee Donna Erwin
-
(Attendees: Donna
Erwin, Mary Zuni, David Harrison, Marcella Giles)
Organizational Chart of Trust-Related
Offices
Donna
Erwin met ITMA representatives at the OST offices in
Ms.
Erwin gave a review of the organizational structure of the trust-related
offices under the Secretary of the Interior. (See attached chart) It is important to note that Trust Records,
Ethel Abeita, Administrator and Information Technology Services, Bob McKenna, Administrator are under line
authority of the Assistant Secretary- Policy Management and Budget. However, all of the other positions are under Ross Swimmer, OST and appear to be
in place and filled. Ms. Erwin noted a line officers meeting was scheduled
in
Ms.
Erwin stated $1.8 million is available for the
OST
has in place an ombudsman for resolution of disputes. BIA Realty will continue to lease, conserve
and ensure compliance. John Bennet,
through CNI, a contracted Chickasaw Nation information company, will oversee
“whereabouts unknown”, re-engineering, special deposits, and the lock box
installation. Special projects related
to probate, DQI, policy and regional issues will be under the Deputy Special
Trustee – Trust Accountablity, Jeff Lord.
Initiatives
There
are two Cannon Certification programs , CIFTA and CIFTS, that will offer
training for realty subjects and probate.
The Indian Probate Act will added to the training as well.
Ms.
Erwin noted that while work was moved from BIA to OST, the BIA superintendents
now had capacity to do other things with BIA FTE. Two top initiatives for OST is to explain to
tribes and IIM accountholders the changes that have occurred under the
Fiduciary Trust Model now in place. A second initiative is to explain the role
of BIA and OST.
A
power-point booklet was shared with ITMA on
Tour
Ms.
Erwin spent considerable time leading us on a tour of the three-floor facility. As we moved from floor to floor at least
ninety percent of employees appeared to be Indian. There was a quiet, industrious, “busy-beaver”
feel to the environment. The
configuration of the work stations was open and pleasant.
The
furnishings were new. Various places had
plasma monitors for information purposes.
There were conference rooms and training centers with light interiors.
We
spent time at the call center and listened to responses to callers. Apparently all calls are being tracked. They anticipate 1,500 calls a month to a toll
free number with hours of operation on Mountain Standard Time. (On page 19 of the information booklet,
OST has identified seven categories for
the types of calls from beneficiaries. Financial, 56%; Minerals, 15%; Routine
File Maintenance, 9%; Land & Realty, 3%; Identity not verified, 2%; Probate,
1%; Other or General 14%)
We
viewed the check writing area, secured document storage, lunch rooms, and mail
procedures.
An
important new product that is to be started shortly is land ownership
information attached to each IIM statement.
Summary
The initial first visit was most
pleasant. A commitment was made by both parties to share information and keep
information flowing both ways. OST was receptive to hearing ITMA’s assessments
as OST moves through its Phase I – Implementation.
I
left the meeting with two thoughts.
1) What is the timeline and capability of the Center
to respond to any orders of the Court?* We now know that Judge Lambert
re-issued the structural injunction with timelines.
2) What do we
do with data verification if there is no accounts receivable and never has
been?
I
would like to make a survey of questions the individual board members want
answered and make a grid with your very specific questions. I anticipate an
in-depth discussion about the Fiduciary Trust Model and its timeline and
accomplishments and a look at the tribal response as represented by each Board
member and its impact in their areas.
The
next monthly meeting with OST is not scheduled but we are looking at a time
around
The
quarterly Board meeting will include time to tour the facility.