Tribal leaders say the Education Department violated statutory consultation requirements when it announced the transfer of dozens of Native American education programs to other federal agencies. Standing Rock Sioux Chairman Steve Sitting Bear and the American Indian Higher Education Consortium warned the move will create funding confusion for Tribal Colleges and Universities and complicate day-to-day program administration. The Interior Department and Labor were named as new program houses; Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs Billy Kirkland said the agencies plan to "engage closely" with tribes going forward. Tribes and advocates say legal and operational challenges could disrupt services for Native students if consultation is not remedied quickly.