The Office of Native Affairs and Policy (ONAP) was established on August 12, 2010. ONAP was created to promote the deployment and adoption of communications services and technology throughout Tribal Lands and Native Communities as well as to ensure robust government-to-government consultation with Federally-recognized Tribal Governments and increased coordination with Native Organizations. The creation of ONAP was one of the recommendations of the National Broadband Plan.  

ONAP 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. It will also engage in work with Commissioners, bureaus, and offices, as well as with other government agencies, private organizations, and the communications industries, to develop and implement FCC policies regarding Tribal Nations and Native communities. The importance of this was first officially recognized by the FCC in 2000 when it issued its Statement of Policy on Establishing a Government-to-Government Relationship with Indian Tribes.  

One of the goals in the National Broadband Plan is to increase access to Broadband in Indian Country. There are 4.1 million American Indians and Alaska Natives in the United States and more than 565 federally recognized Tribes with their own unique political and Tribal structures. There is minimal access to Broadband in Indian Country. The best evidence indicates that the broadband deployment rate on Tribal lands is less than 10 percent, and anecdotal evidence suggests that actual usage rates may be as low as 5 to 8 percent, compared to 65 percent nationwide.

Publications

Lifeline Across America: Lifeline Link-Up, a Discount Telephone Service Program

Promoting Telephone Subscribership In Indian Country

Other FCC Publications

Headlines

6/21/11
Commission designates Standing Rock Telecommunications, Inc., an eligible telecommunications carrier throughout the entire Standing Rock Sioux Reservation.
MO&O:  Word | Acrobat

5/16/11
Comment Deadlines Extended for Notice of Inquiry on Improving Communications Services for Native Nations.
Order: Word | Acrobat

4/18/11
Further Inquiry Into Tribal Issues Relating to Establishment of a Mobility Fund.
Public Notice: Word | Acrobat

4/5/11
Office of Native Affairs and Policy Announces Deadlines for Comments on Native Nations Notice of Inquiry.
Public Notice: Word | Acrobat

3/3/11
Chairman Genachowski Names Members to the FCC-Native Nations Broadband Task Force.
News Release: Word | Acrobat
Public Notice: Word | Acrobat

3/3/11
FCC Takes Action to Help Strengthen and Expand Broadband and Other Communications Services in Native Nations.
News Release: Word | Acrobat
NOI: Word | Acrobat
NPRM: Word | Acrobat
R&O/NPRM: Word | Acrobat
Genachowski Statement: Word | Acrobat
Copps Statement: Word | Acrobat
McDowell Statement: Word | Acrobat
Clyburn Statement: Word | Acrobat
Baker Statement: Word | Acrobat

11/17/10
Remarks of Commissioner Copps to The National Congress of American Indians.
Word | Acrobat

11/10/10
Senior Staff in the Commission's Office of Native Affairs and Policy Announced.
News Release: Word | Acrobat

8/12/10
FCC Establishes Office of Native Affairs and Policy.
News Release: Word | Acrobat
Order: Word | Acrobat
Copps Statement: Word | Acrobat

7/14/10
FCC Extends Deadline for Nominations of Tribal Representatives to Serve on FCC-Native Nations Broadband Task Force.
Public Notice: Word | Acrobat

6/22/10
Commissioner Copps Applauds the Appointment of Geoffrey Blackwell to Lead New Initiatives for Indian Country.
News Release: Word | Acrobat

6/22/10
Chairman Genachowski Appoints Geoffrey Blackwell to Lead New Initiatives on Native Affairs.
News Release: Word | Acrobat

6/2/10
FCC Establishes FCC-Native Nations Broadband Task Force and Seeks Nominations for Tribal Representatives.
Public Notice: Word | Acrobat

3/2/10
Chairman Genachowski Highlights Strategy for Increasing Broadband Access in Indian Country.
News Release: Word | Acrobat
Remarks: Word | Acrobat

3/1/10
Chairman Genachowski to Address National Congress of American Indians.
Advisory: Word | Acrobat

2/3/10
FCC Adopts Order to Promote Native American Radio and Streamline Broadcast Radio Assignment and Allotment Procedures.
News Release: Word | Acrobat
Order: Word | Acrobat
Copps Statement: Word | Acrobat
McDowell Statement: Word | Acrobat
Clyburn Statement: Word | Acrobat

11/2/09
Comment Sought on Public Safety Issues Related to Broadband Deployment in Rural and Tribal Areas and Broadband Communications to and from Persons with Disabilities.
Public Notice: Word | Acrobat

9/25/09
Comment Sought on the Contribution of Federal, State, Tribal, and Local Government to Broadband.
Public Notice: Word | Acrobat

9/23/09
Comment Sought on Broadband Deployment and Adoption on Tribal Lands.
Public Notice: Word | Acrobat

7/29/09
Commissioner Copps' Remarks, Indian Telecommunications Initiative, Rapid City, South Dakota.
Remarks: Word | Acrobat

06/18/09
FCC To Hold Eighth Indian Telecommunications Initiatives (ITI) Regional Workshop And Roundtable Discussion, Rapid City and Pine Ridge, South Dakota July 27-29, 2009.
News Release: Word | Acrobat

4/20/09
Commission Seeks Comment on Procedures to Encourage Radio Service to Rural and Tribal Communities.
NPRM: Word | Acrobat
Copps Statement: Word | Acrobat
Adelstein Statement: Word | Acrobat
McDowell Statement: Word | Acrobat