Great Plains tribal leaders press BIA over probate backlog and staffing shortages
Tribal leaders raised concerns about tens of thousands of unresolved probate cases and ongoing staffing shortages during a meeting with BIA officials
Leaders from Great Plains tribes questioned federal officials about a growing backlog of Indian probate cases and staffing shortages during an April meeting in Rapid City convened by the Great Plains Tribal Chairmen's Association. Bureau of Indian Affairs Great Plains Regional Director Olivia Steve said the agency estimates there are between 54,000 and 55,000 outstanding probate cases nationwide, according to reporting by Native Sun News Today. Steve said the Department of the Interior created a mobile Indian Affairs Probate Strike Team. She reported that a regional team at the Fort Berthold Agency helped close 335 probate cases in about three months.
Tribal leaders said staffing shortages continue to slow progress. Former Cheyenne River Sioux Tribal Chairman Harold Frazier said Pine Ridge had only three staff members assigned to more than 1,500 probate cases. Leaders also raised concerns about access to local BIA offices, records management and proposed cuts to Indian child welfare and social services programs. According to the Native Sun News Today reporting, tribal officials called for permanent staffing solutions and greater consultation as the Interior Department works to address the backlog.
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