Photo: U.S. Department of Interior building. (Kmf164 via Wikimedia)

Tribal leaders are raising concerns about a possible overhaul of the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) that could lead to more staff cuts.

During a congressional hearing last week, National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) president Mark Macarro warned lawmakers a proposed reorganization could reduce positions critical to delivering funding and services to tribal nations.

He says the plan is moving forward without meaningful consultation.

Macarro told lawmakers, “this action has been done without consultation with tribal nations and without consideration of the impact it will have on the delivery of programs and services.”

A recent Government Accountability Office (GAO) report found workforce reductions have already caused delays and left gaps in services across Indian Country.

Federal officials say the changes are intended to improve efficiency, but tribal leaders warn the impacts could be far reaching.

Native children playing outside at the Iselta Head Start. (Photo: Jeanette DeDios / KUNM-FM)

The Pueblo of Isleta could lose federal funds for its Head Start program because online betting and prediction markets are hurting the tribe’s gaming revenues.

U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez (D-NM) met with tribal leaders last week to discuss the importance of preserving early education programs on sovereign Native lands.

KUNM’s Jeanette DeDios (Jicarilla Apache and Diné) has more.

At the Isleta Head Start, which serves children ages three to five at the pueblo, the program offers both educational and cultural learning like traditional dancing and language learning.

Native American communities must do a 20% non-federal match for their Head Start programs in order to receive the remaining 80% of their budget from the federal government, so Isleta Pueblo uses revenues from its casino gaming for the match.

But tribal officials say that is now at risk because online gaming platforms use federal regulatory loopholes to offer gambling-like services nationwide, while avoiding state gaming compacts under which tribal casinos must operate.

Charles Jojola , 1st Lieutenant Governor for the Pueblo of Isleta, says that every gaming Pueblo has similar concerns.

“Coming into our state, unregulated. They’re not sharing any of their revenues. What people gamble, what they make, they’re walking away, you know, from the state with all that money. And as far as Indian tribes go, you know, we’re required.”

The Trump administration has eased Biden-era regulations on prediction markets.

Rep. Vasquez introduced an amendment to prohibit sports betting using prediction market models. He also co-sponsored another bill that would prohibit members of Congress and the administration from entering into contracts.

He says if they do not prohibit this it is going to lead to corruption issues.

“Because now you’re able to make predictions or bets on things like world events, on legislation, passing on what the President is going to do tomorrow, on what the Supreme Court case is going to decide on a case that they have before them.”

Councilwoman for the Pueblo Eulalia Lucero says this will directly impact the Pueblo’s children.

“This is the forefront of the foundation of their future, and it’s developing their knowledge, their awareness, so that they can be stronger as they go into the next phases of education.”

Vasquez says that online gaming is a clear violation and overstep of the rules that currently exist and it will be one of his top priorities this year.

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Wednesday, April 8, 2026 – Tribes scramble to save critical healthcare funding