Arizona Commission of Indian Affairs

The report found that the Arizona Commission of Indian Affairs (Commission) has been unable to effectively meet its important statutory mission for many years and, as a result, has a minimal impact on state-tribal relations. Specifically, the Commission has not established relationships with the State’s 21 tribes because it has not regularly met with tribal officials nor disseminated meaningful information to tribes on a consistent basis. Further, the Commission has only limited contact with state agencies providing services to tribes and has not made recommendations to state policymakers about Indian affairs. The report determined that the Commission’s statutory charge is important to the State because of the significant presence of Native Americans within Arizona, and that, therefore, the agency needs to make several changes to ensure its future effectiveness.