Secretary Deb Haaland, the first Native person to lead the Department of the Interior, addresses the SXSW conference in Austin, Texas, on March 16, 2022.

"The reality — that I am standing here as a figure of success in spite of my history of tragedy and loss – is shared by many people in our country," Haaland said in Austin, Texas.

"We cannot deny that laws and policies in our not-too-distant past here in the United States were built on doctrines of enslavement, land grabbing, and discrimination," said Haaland, a citizen of the Pueblo of Laguna.

FULL REMARKS ON INDIANZ.COM:

https://www.indianz.com/News/2022/03/17/auntie-deb-discusses-representation-at-sxsw-conference/

Senate Committee on Indian Affairs

Legislative Hearing to receive testimony on S.1397, S.3168, S.3308, S.3443, S.3773 & S.3789

Wednesday, March 23 2022 – 02:30 PM

Location: Dirksen

Room Number: 628

On Wednesday, March 23 at 2:30 p.m. ET / 8:30 a.m. HT, the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs holds legislative hearing to receive testimony on six bills.

S.1397, the Tribal Health Data Improvement Act of 2021. The bill ensures that tribal health authorities enjoy access to the same public health data as state governments. The U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R.3841, a companion version of the bill, on June 23, 2021.

S.3168, a bill to amend the White Mountain Apache Tribe Water Rights Quantification Act of 2010. The bill ensures that the White Mountain Apache Tribe can utilize its already enacted water rights settlement to complete a water project on the Fort Apache Reservation in the state of Arizona.

S.3308, the Colorado River Indian Tribes Water Resiliency Act of 2021. The bill ensures that the Colorado River Indian Tribes can utilize its previously ratified water rights from the Colorado River by leasing or allocating them to other entities in Arizona.

S.3443, the MOWA Band of Choctaw Indians Recognition Act. The bill extends federal recognition to the MOWA Band of Choctaw Indians, a group in Alabama that was previously denied acknowledgement through the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

S.3773, a bill to authorize leases of up to 99 years for land held in trust for the Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation in the state of Washington. Similar bills have been enacted for other Indian nations.

S.3789, a bill to amend the Native American Tourism and Improving Visitor Experience Act, also known as the NATIVE Act. The NATIVE Act requires federal agencies to update their existing management plans and tourism strategies to include American Indians, Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians.

Witness List

PANEL 1

The Honorable Bryan Newland

Assistant Secretary, Indian Affairs

Department of the Interior

Washington, D.C.

Mr. Marvin Figueroa

Director, Intergovernmental and External Affairs

Department of Health and Human Services

Washington, D.C.

The Honorable Gwendena Lee-Gatewood

Chairwoman

White Mountain Apache Tribe

Whiteriver, Arizona

The Honorable Amelia Flores

Chairwoman

Colorado River Indian Tribes

Parker, Arizona

The Honorable Harry Pickernell, Sr.

Chairman

Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation

Oakville, Washington

The Honorable Lebaron Byrd

Chief

MOWA Band of Choctaw Indians

Mt. Vernon, Alabama

Dr. Darin Prescott

Director Health and Clinic CEO

Lower Sioux Indian Community and Great Lakes Area Tribal Health Board

Morton, Minnesota

Committee Notice:

https://www.indian.senate.gov/hearing/legislative-hearing-receive-testimony-s-1397-s-3168-s-3308-s-3443-s-3773-s-3789

Senate Committee on Indian Affairs

Legislative Hearing to receive testimony on S.1397, S.3168, S.3308, S.3443, S.3773 & S.3789

Wednesday, March 23 2022 – 02:30 PM

Location: Dirksen

Room Number: 628

On Wednesday, March 23 at 2:30 p.m. ET / 8:30 a.m. HT, the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs holds legislative hearing to receive testimony on six bills.

S.1397, the Tribal Health Data Improvement Act of 2021. The bill ensures that tribal health authorities enjoy access to the same public health data as state governments. The U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R.3841, a companion version of the bill, on June 23, 2021.

S.3168, a bill to amend the White Mountain Apache Tribe Water Rights Quantification Act of 2010. The bill ensures that the White Mountain Apache Tribe can utilize its already enacted water rights settlement to complete a water project on the Fort Apache Reservation in the state of Arizona.

S.3308, the Colorado River Indian Tribes Water Resiliency Act of 2021. The bill ensures that the Colorado River Indian Tribes can utilize its previously ratified water rights from the Colorado River by leasing or allocating them to other entities in Arizona.

S.3443, the MOWA Band of Choctaw Indians Recognition Act. The bill extends federal recognition to the MOWA Band of Choctaw Indians, a group in Alabama that was previously denied acknowledgement through the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

S.3773, a bill to authorize leases of up to 99 years for land held in trust for the Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation in the state of Washington. Similar bills have been enacted for other Indian nations.

S.3789, a bill to amend the Native American Tourism and Improving Visitor Experience Act, also known as the NATIVE Act. The NATIVE Act requires federal agencies to update their existing management plans and tourism strategies to include American Indians, Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians.

Witness List

PANEL 1

The Honorable Bryan Newland

Assistant Secretary, Indian Affairs

Department of the Interior

Washington, D.C.

Mr. Marvin Figueroa

Director, Intergovernmental and External Affairs

Department of Health and Human Services

Washington, D.C.

The Honorable Gwendena Lee-Gatewood

Chairwoman

White Mountain Apache Tribe

Whiteriver, Arizona

The Honorable Amelia Flores

Chairwoman

Colorado River Indian Tribes

Parker, Arizona

The Honorable Harry Pickernell, Sr.

Chairman

Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation

Oakville, Washington

The Honorable Lebaron Byrd

Chief

MOWA Band of Choctaw Indians

Mt. Vernon, Alabama

Dr. Darin Prescott

Director Health and Clinic CEO

Lower Sioux Indian Community and Great Lakes Area Tribal Health Board

Morton, Minnesota

Committee Notice:

https://www.indian.senate.gov/hearing/legislative-hearing-receive-testimony-s-1397-s-3168-s-3308-s-3443-s-3773-s-3789

Senate Committee on the Judiciary

Executive Business Meeting

DATE: Thursday, March 10, 2022

TIME: 09:00 AM

LOCATION: Russell Senate Office Building Room 325

PRESIDING: Chair, Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Illinois)

The Senate Committee on the Judiciary approved the nomination of Sunshine Suzanne Sykes, a citizen of the Navajo Nation, to be United States District Judge for the Central District of California, at an executive business meeting on March 10, 2022.

The nomination can now be sent to the U.S. Senate. If confirmed, Sykes would be the first Native federal judge in California, which is home to the largest population of American Indians and Alaska Natives.

Cover Photo: REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz

AGENDA

I. Nominees

Kenly Kiya Kato, to be United States District Judge for the Central District of California

Jennifer Louise Rochon, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of New York

Sunshine Suzanne Sykes, to be United States District Judge for the Central District of California

Sherilyn Peace Garnett, to be United States District Judge for the Central District of California

Nina Morrison, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of New York

Trina L. Thompson, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of California

Paul Monteiro, to be Director, Community Relations Service

Trina A. Higgins, to be United States Attorney for the District of Utah

Jane E. Young, to be United States Attorney for the District of New Hampshire

Committee Notice:

https://www.judiciary.senate.gov/meetings/03/10/2022/executive-business-meeting

Oversight: Examining the History of Federal Lands and the Development of Tribal Co-Management

Date: Tuesday, March 8, 2022

Time: 10:00 AM

Presiding: The Honorable Raúl M. Grijalva, Chair

On Tuesday, March 8, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. (EST), the Committee on Natural Resources will hold a remote oversight hearing entitled: Examining the History of Federal Lands and the Development of Tribal Co-Management.

Witness List

Panel I

The Honorable Charles “Chuck” Sams III

Director

National Park Service

The Honorable Carleton Bowekaty

Lieutenant Governor

Pueblo of Zuni

Co-Chair

Bears Ears Inter-Tribal Coalition

Mr. Melvin J. Baker

Chairman

Southern Ute Tribal Council

Panel II

Doug Kiel

Assistant Professor, Department of History

Northwestern University

Aja DeCoteau

Executive Director

Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission

Kevin Washburn

N. William Hines Dean and Professor of Law

University of Iowa College of Law

Cody Desautel

President

Intertribal Timber Council

House Committee on Natural Resources Notice

https://naturalresources.house.gov/hearings/examining-the-history-of-federal-lands-and-the-development-of-tribal-co-management

Oversight: Examining the History of Federal Lands and the Development of Tribal Co-Management

Date: Tuesday, March 8, 2022

Time: 10:00 AM

Presiding: The Honorable Raúl M. Grijalva, Chair

On Tuesday, March 8, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. (EST), the Committee on Natural Resources will hold a remote oversight hearing entitled: Examining the History of Federal Lands and the Development of Tribal Co-Management.

Witness List

Panel I

The Honorable Charles “Chuck” Sams III

Director

National Park Service

The Honorable Carleton Bowekaty

Lieutenant Governor

Pueblo of Zuni

Co-Chair

Bears Ears Inter-Tribal Coalition

Mr. Melvin J. Baker

Chairman

Southern Ute Tribal Council

Panel II

Doug Kiel

Assistant Professor, Department of History

Northwestern University

Aja DeCoteau

Executive Director

Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission

Kevin Washburn

N. William Hines Dean and Professor of Law

University of Iowa College of Law

Cody Desautel

President

Intertribal Timber Council

House Committee on Natural Resources Notice

https://naturalresources.house.gov/hearings/examining-the-history-of-federal-lands-and-the-development-of-tribal-co-management

Oversight: Examining the History of Federal Lands and the Development of Tribal Co-Management

Date: Tuesday, March 8, 2022

Time: 10:00 AM

Presiding: The Honorable Raúl M. Grijalva, Chair

On Tuesday, March 8, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. (EST), the Committee on Natural Resources will hold a remote oversight hearing entitled: Examining the History of Federal Lands and the Development of Tribal Co-Management.

Witness List

Panel I

The Honorable Charles “Chuck” Sams III

Director

National Park Service

The Honorable Carleton Bowekaty

Lieutenant Governor

Pueblo of Zuni

Co-Chair

Bears Ears Inter-Tribal Coalition

Mr. Melvin J. Baker

Chairman

Southern Ute Tribal Council

Panel II

Doug Kiel

Assistant Professor, Department of History

Northwestern University

Aja DeCoteau

Executive Director

Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission

Kevin Washburn

N. William Hines Dean and Professor of Law

University of Iowa College of Law

Cody Desautel

President

Intertribal Timber Council

House Committee on Natural Resources Notice

https://naturalresources.house.gov/hearings/examining-the-history-of-federal-lands-and-the-development-of-tribal-co-management

Oversight: Examining the History of Federal Lands and the Development of Tribal Co-Management

Date: Tuesday, March 8, 2022

Time: 10:00 AM

Presiding: The Honorable Raúl M. Grijalva, Chair

On Tuesday, March 8, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. (EST), the Committee on Natural Resources will hold a remote oversight hearing entitled: Examining the History of Federal Lands and the Development of Tribal Co-Management.

Witness List

Panel I

The Honorable Charles “Chuck” Sams III

Director

National Park Service

The Honorable Carleton Bowekaty

Lieutenant Governor

Pueblo of Zuni

Co-Chair

Bears Ears Inter-Tribal Coalition

Mr. Melvin J. Baker

Chairman

Southern Ute Tribal Council

Panel II

Doug Kiel

Assistant Professor, Department of History

Northwestern University

Aja DeCoteau

Executive Director

Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission

Kevin Washburn

N. William Hines Dean and Professor of Law

University of Iowa College of Law

Cody Desautel

President

Intertribal Timber Council

House Committee on Natural Resources Notice

https://naturalresources.house.gov/hearings/examining-the-history-of-federal-lands-and-the-development-of-tribal-co-management

Oversight: Examining the History of Federal Lands and the Development of Tribal Co-Management

Date: Tuesday, March 8, 2022

Time: 10:00 AM

Presiding: The Honorable Raúl M. Grijalva, Chair

On Tuesday, March 8, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. (EST), the Committee on Natural Resources will hold a remote oversight hearing entitled: Examining the History of Federal Lands and the Development of Tribal Co-Management.

Witness List

Panel I

The Honorable Charles “Chuck” Sams III

Director

National Park Service

The Honorable Carleton Bowekaty

Lieutenant Governor

Pueblo of Zuni

Co-Chair

Bears Ears Inter-Tribal Coalition

Mr. Melvin J. Baker

Chairman

Southern Ute Tribal Council

Panel II

Doug Kiel

Assistant Professor, Department of History

Northwestern University

Aja DeCoteau

Executive Director

Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission

Kevin Washburn

N. William Hines Dean and Professor of Law

University of Iowa College of Law

Cody Desautel

President

Intertribal Timber Council

House Committee on Natural Resources Notice

https://naturalresources.house.gov/hearings/examining-the-history-of-federal-lands-and-the-development-of-tribal-co-management

Oversight: Examining the History of Federal Lands and the Development of Tribal Co-Management

Date: Tuesday, March 8, 2022

Time: 10:00 AM

Presiding: The Honorable Raúl M. Grijalva, Chair

On Tuesday, March 8, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. (EST), the Committee on Natural Resources will hold a remote oversight hearing entitled: Examining the History of Federal Lands and the Development of Tribal Co-Management.

Witness List

Panel I

The Honorable Charles “Chuck” Sams III

Director

National Park Service

The Honorable Carleton Bowekaty

Lieutenant Governor

Pueblo of Zuni

Co-Chair

Bears Ears Inter-Tribal Coalition

Mr. Melvin J. Baker

Chairman

Southern Ute Tribal Council

Panel II

Doug Kiel

Assistant Professor, Department of History

Northwestern University

Aja DeCoteau

Executive Director

Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission

Kevin Washburn

N. William Hines Dean and Professor of Law

University of Iowa College of Law

Cody Desautel

President

Intertribal Timber Council

House Committee on Natural Resources Notice

https://naturalresources.house.gov/hearings/examining-the-history-of-federal-lands-and-the-development-of-tribal-co-management