FCC Establishes Office of Native Affairs and Policy

The Federal Communications Commission has established an Office of Native Affairs and Policy, according to a press release issued by the commission on Aug.12.

With its main agenda aimed at bringing the benefits of a modern communications infrastructure to all Native communities, the new office will work to promote the deployment and adoption of communications services and technologies throughout Indian Country by, among other things, ensuring robust government-to-government consultation with tribal governments and increased coordination with Native organizations.

“The Office of Native Affairs and Policy is a historic milestone and the culmination of many years of effort by leaders in Indian Country and at the FCC,” said Geoffrey Blackwell, who heads the office. “There is a lot of good hard work that remains on the path ahead. As tribal nations and Native communities exercise their sovereignty and self-determination to ensure a bright future for their generations, the entire agency now has a new capability to engage with them. Many people throughout the FCC have worked diligently on behalf of tribes for a number of years. …”

The office, which will be part of the FCC’s Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau, will handle ongoing consultation and coordination with American Indian tribes, Alaska Native villages, Native Hawaiian organizations and other Native and tribal entities and will be the official commission contact point for these activities.