Interior Secretary Jewell Statement in Support of U.S. Army Decision Related to the Dakota Access Pipeline

Haskell Indian Nations University and the Indian Health Service, in partnership with the Haskell Indian Health Center, have signed an agreement to support the construction of a new, state-of-the-art health care facility on Haskell’s campus. This collaboration will strengthen health care access for the Lawrence community while creating expanded educational and workforce training opportunities for Native students.

The Department of the Interior approved the nation’s first-ever tribal energy resource agreement, increasing the Southern Ute Indian Tribe’s sovereign authority to manage and develop energy resources on its lands while reducing federal bureaucracy. This step strengthens tribal self‑determination and supports broader efforts to advance U.S. Energy Dominance by ensuring affordable, reliable and domestically produced energy in the United States, furthering the objectives of Executive Order 14154 “Unleashing American Energy.”

The Department of the Interior today released a new Strategic Direction for the Bureau of Indian Education, establishing a performance-driven roadmap to improve student outcomes, strengthen Native language and culture and enhance operational effectiveness across Bureau-funded schools. The Strategic Direction reinforces tribal sovereignty and local control by prioritizing flexible, community-driven approaches rather than one-size-fits-all programming.