Bureau of Indian Affairs

Our Mission

Our mission is to enhance the quality of life, promote economic opportunities, and to carry out the federal responsibilities entrusted to us to protect and improve the trust assets of American Indians and Alaska Natives. We accomplish this by directly empowering Tribal governments through self-governance agreements.

Who We Serve

In keeping with the authorities and responsibilities under the Snyder Act of 1921 and other federal laws, regulations, and treaties, BIA employees across the country work with tribal governments and tribal members in the administration of employment and job training assistance; law enforcement and justice; agricultural and economic development; tribal governance; and natural resources management programs to enhance the quality of life in tribal communities.

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The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) is the oldest agency within the U.S. Department of the Interior. Established in 1824 and transferred from the Department of War to the Interior in 1849, the BIA is the primary federal agency responsible for fulfilling the United States' trust responsibility to American Indian and Alaska Native people.

Core Mission and Responsibilities

The BIA serves approximately 1.9 million American Indians and Alaska Natives from 574 federally recognized tribes, aiming to improve their quality of life, boost economic opportunities, and safeguard trust assets.

Key areas of responsibility include:

• Trust Land Management: Managing about 56 million surface acres and 60 million subsurface mineral acres held in trust.
• Public Safety: Providing law enforcement and court services through the Office of Justice Services (OJS).
• Infrastructure: Developing and maintaining roads and other infrastructure in Indian Country.
• Economic Development: Supporting job training, entrepreneurship, and loan programs.
• Tribal Sovereignty: Supporting self-determination and government-to-government relations.

Agency Organization

The BIA is led by a Director and structured into four main offices and 12 regional offices.

Office Primary FocusOffice of Indian ServicesSocial services, child welfare, tribal government support, and transportation.Office of Justice ServicesLaw enforcement, corrections, and tribal justice systems.Office of Trust ServicesNatural resource management and real estate on trust lands.Office of Field OperationsDelivering direct services through regional and agency offices.

Current Leadership & Contact

• Director: Bryan Mercier (as of October 2024).
• Headquarters: Main Interior Building, 1849 C Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20240.
• General Inquiry: 202-208-5116.

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