Stephen Manydeeds: Misguided BIA Energy and Mineral Policies Cost Tribes $500,000 in Just Two Years

In the last two years, BIA leadership has laid off or lost 75% of the Division of Energy and Mineral Development’s (DEMD’s) contractors and Federal employees. All of this has occurred rapidly, without tribal consultation or explanation from the BIA leadership.

This enormous reduction in staff and funding has had dire consequences for tribes looking to develop their energy and mineral resources, reducing self-determination, curtailing mining and energy projects, and depriving tribes of needed revenue. The quality of trusteeship has diminished with the elimination of staff with years of experience in resource development.

The impact was a drop in tribal revenue from over $1.6 billion in 2022 to $1.1 billion in 2024, a loss of over $500 million in less than two years.