made whereby all unused monies from Part B be returned to Part A grantees, rather than to non-Title VI programs.

We are pleased to note that elsewhere in Congress support is being evidence for our recommendations, particularly in relation to the Commissioner being empowered to monitor Title III services and designate tribes as AAAs and in establishing a national data base under Title IV.

We feel, Mr. Chairman, that as the Older Americans Act issues for Indian elders grow increasingly grave, our recommendations are fair and that our cause justifies your continued attention.

Thank you for this opportunity to address you today and for your ongoing efforts to improve the lives of these, America's forgotten elderly.

[The prepared statement of Gilbert Towner follows:]

STATEMENT OF

THE NATIONAL INDIAN COUNCIL ON AGING

"Proposed Changes to the OAA:

Impact on Participation and Service Delivery"

Representatives Martinez, Roybal, Senator Adams, and distinguished members of the House Subcommittees on Aging and on Human Resources, I am honored by this opportunity to testify regarding the reauthorization of the Older American Act. For 215,000 American Indian and Alaskan Native elders, the reauthorization of the OAA--and your role in its implementation--are matters of intense concern ... matters of food... of employment ... of shelter ... matters of the daily survival and the quality of their lives.

As the Portland area director of the National Indian Council on Aging, I testify on behalf of my peers from 504 North American tribes. They share an Indian/Federal relationship that is 215 years old. And although our elders speak more than 200 different languages, they also share some unfortunate similarities-poverty, hunger, and deprivation--needs still unanswered by the Older Americans Act. I respectfully request your attention to the following considerations.

Title II

We offer three observations on title II services.

1.) The National Indian Council on Aging applauds the Commissioner's recent appointment of an Associate Commissioner on American Indian, Alaskan Native, and Native Hawaiian Aging! We welcome the opportunity to work with Dr. Jackson, and trust that she will provide the strong leadership and effective advocacy that is so urgently needed by America's Indian elderly.

2.) Section 204(a)(1) provides for a Federal Council on Aging member "with an interest in Indian tribes." NICOA wishes to reiterate our hope that this position will soon be filled by an Indian representative. Indian elders bring a number of unique problems to OAA consideration. This appointment is critical for the Council to understand Indian elders and target services to them.

3.) We support the elevation of the AoA Commissioner to the position of Assistant Secretary. We believe that, given the complexity of aging considerations under the OAA, that the Commissioner needs optimal flexibility and authority to deal with an ever-widening range of Federal policies. She must have every opportunity to advocate effectively for all of America's elders.

Title III

THE PROMISE: To enter into "new cooperative arrangements in each state... with Indian tribes and tribal organizations . . . ."

THE ACTUALITY: Of 634 AAA's nationally, a total of nine (9) are designated to American Indians.

DISCUSSION: Title III services, in their 759 million dollar reach to elderly Americans, are not being delivered to America's Indians. With 504 federally-recognized tribes in existence, only 193 receive title VI services. This leaves elders from 311 tribes and an estimated 103,447 urban Indian elders who must rely on title III services or receive no services at all. Less than one percent of title III recipients are Indian elders, despite the provisions of Section 307(a), directing states to target "non-English speaking, minority, rural elders who demonstrate the greatest need." That phrase, as verified by every available statistic, is the very definition of many Indian elders!

The attached chart contains information from the 1990 census and from recent, still-unpublished, federal government data. Although the data undoubtably reflects both a census undercount of Indian elders and duplication of the numbers of elders receiving services, it offers the most current information available regarding title III services to Indians.

According to AAA reports, only 18 percent of America's Indian elders receive any form of title III Support services, and only 15 percent receive congregate meals.

We ask you to note that in the top-5 Indian-populated states where Indian-operated AAA's exist-Arizona, Washington, New York, Montana, and Wisconsin-levels of service to Indian elders average six percent greater than the national average for Support Services

and eight percent greater for Congregate Meal participation.

We recommend:

1.) Expanding the provision in Sec. 301(a) for the Commissioner to contract directly with Indian tribes and tribal organizations, and to designate them as AAA's;

2.) Creating a new section empowering the Commissioner to:

a.) Review the effectiveness of AAA's in targeting and serving Indian elders;
b.) Conduct hearings with AAA's which are not demonstrably complying with
outreach provisions;

c.) Disqualify non-complying AAA's;

d.) Re-allocate funds from disqualified agencies to tribes and tribal organizations and/or other AAA's, with specific directions that a specific percentage of the funds be used for outreach services to exceptionally needy rural minorities; and, 3.) Modifying Section 305(b)(1) to provide that, in the case of Indian tribes, the AoA Commissioner, not the state, has the authority to directly designate an Indian tribe or tribal organization as an AAA.

4.) Modifying Sec. 305(a)(2)(C-E), to include a provision that the high incidence of poverty and unemployment on Indian reservations and in rural Indian communities be required considerations of the intrastate funding formula.

Title IV

The failure of the OAA's entitlement programs to serve America's Indian elders is largely one of inadequate funding, a fact that is exacerbated by lack of information about this population. We are fortunate today to be enjoying the hospitality of a tribe which has, in the past, been part of a title IV study researching the needs of their elders. They, however, are unique in this opportunity, and, at present, have no readily-available means of sharing the findings with other tribes or agencies who might also benefit from their findings. Over the past decade, far too little research, and no comprehensive means of disseminating ithave resulted in inadequate knowledge for the formulation of public policies affecting America's Indian elderly.