Delaware Tribe Moves to BIA Miami Agency

On June 20, 2014, the Delaware Tribe was approved to be placed under the administrative jurisdiction of the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Miami Agency. The Delaware Tribal Council passed a resolution in support of the move to the Miami BIA Agency on November 5, 2013.

Recently, representatives from the Miami Agency met with Chief Paula Pechonick and Tribal Council members for a briefing regarding the Delaware Tribe of Indians’ programs and services and also to formally make introductions between the two groups. In attendance at the briefing held on August 14 from the BIA Miami Agency were Paul Yates, the Superintendent, Mary King, Deputy Superintendent, Mike Longan, Self-Determination Assistant, and Jan Williams, Realty Specialist.

Chief Pechonick said “we are really looking forward to working with the Agency. I think it will be a really good working relationship and that the Superintendent and his staff will be very helpful.”

In describing how the idea came about, Chief Pechonick said that the BIA Eastern Oklahoma Regional Director Robert Impson had suggested that the Delaware Tribe switch to the Miami BIA Agency some time ago. So Chief Pechonick wrote both agencies a formal request letter to change affiliation to the Miami BIA Agency. Director Robert Impson approved the request and instructed the Miami Agency and the Delaware Tribe to follow through with a meeting and introductions.

Shown in photo (L-R): Mike Longan, Self-Determination Asst. Miami BIA; Jan Williams, Realty Specialist Miami BIA; Assistant Delaware Chief/Tribal Councilman Chester “Chet” Brooks; Mary King, Deputy Superintendent Miami BIA; Treasurer/Tribal Councilwoman Janifer Brown; Delaware Chief Paula Pechonick; Paul Yates, Superintendent Miami BIA; Tribal Councilwoman Jenifer Pechonick; Secretary/Tribal Councilwoman Verna Crawford; and Tribal Councilman Nate Young