USDA PUBLISHES GUIDE FOR AMERICAN INDIANS AND ALASKA NATIVES
                                            Release No. 0174.98
                                                               
                                   Laura Trivers (202) 720-4623
                                         laura.trivers@usda.gov
                                  Martha Cashion (202) 720-3310
                                        martha.cashion@usda.gov

USDA PUBLISHES GUIDE FOR AMERICAN INDIANS AND ALASKA NATIVES

     WASHINGTON, April 20, 1998--Agriculture Secretary  Dan Glickman today
announced the publication of a new resource from the U.S. Department of
Agriculture entitled Guide to USDA Programs for American Indians and Alaska
Natives.

     "We are committed to ensuring that USDA's programs are available to the
traditionally under-served communities," Glickman said. "This publication
reflects our concerted efforts to reach the American Indian and Alaska Native
populations."

     The 136-page book describes programs that are available to American
Indians and Alaska Native tribes and their members, including programs related
to natural resources and conservation, agricultural production and loans,
feeding programs, rural development, food safety, research, animal
agriculture, and civil rights.  It includes a bibliography of materials
related to American Indians and Alaska Natives that were published in 1992-97
and that are available from the National Agricultural Library.

     This book is also available on the USDA home page at the following
address:  www.usda.gov/news/pubs/indians/open.htm.

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NOTE TO EDITORS: Single free copies of the printed book are available to
members of the media from USDA's Office of Communications, Room 460-A,
Washington, DC 20250.  To request a media copy, call John Margelos at (202)
720-2058 or send an e-mail to john.margelos@usda.gov