Audit Report to The Congress of the United States: Administration of Indian Lands by Bureau of Indian Affairs, Department of The Interior, January 1956

In connection with an audit of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, GAO reviewed the administration of Indian Lands. This audit was made pursuant to the Budget and Accounting Act, 1921, and the Accounting and Auditing Act of 1950. The examination was performed at selected locations under the jurisdiction of the nine area offices of the Bureau in the continental United States and the Washington office. The solution of the problems encountered by the Bureau in the administration of Indian lands is basic to the objective of an orderly withdrawal of Bureau supervision over Indian affairs. GAO believes that the solution of some of the problems pointed out in this report, such as difficulties encountered in the administration of lands in heirship status and reluctance of competent Indians to voluntarily terminate the trust status of their lands, may require legislative action.