Exclusive: Native American tribal leaders back Doug Burgum for Interior Secretary
Tribal leaders back Doug Burgum: "Governor Burgum understands the Native American dynamic which, if you’re non-native can be difficult to maneuver, but he does it well," one says.
Native American leaders are urging the Senate to confirm former Gov. Doug Burgum (R., N.D.) as President Donald Trump’s Secretary of the Interior, arguing that Burgum’s time running North Dakota prepared him well for the position.
Sens. Mike Lee (R., Utah) and Martin Heinrich (D., N.M.) received letters from four Native American leaders, obtained exclusively by the Washington Reporter, in which tribal chairs and presidents explained why they back Burgum.
“On behalf of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, I write to support Governor Doug Burgum’s nomination to serve as Secretary of the Department of the Interior,” Janet Alkire, the Chairwoman of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, wrote. “As Tribal Chairwoman, I personally know Governor Burgum’s tireless efforts to work with our Tribal Nation, and the four other Tribal Nations of North Dakota. He consistently demonstrated his commitment to the nation-to-nation dialogue, hosting an annual summit to celebrate and share our accomplishments and opportunities…Governor Burgum understands the Native American dynamic which, if you’re non-native can be difficult to maneuver, but he does it well.”
Even Native American tribes that did not work directly with Burgum are eager to partner with him in his new role. John Wayne Melovidov, the President of the Aleut Community of St. Paul Island in Alaska, wrote that he is “mindful of the notable accolades Mr. Burgum has received from Tribal leaders in North Dakota, speaking to his collaborative, empowering approach with Indigenous communities during his time as Governor of the State of North Dakota” and is backing Burgum as a result.”
“We hope to collaborate with the Department of Interior of the incoming Trump administration,” Melovidov wrote, especially on issues like Arctic research and data collection.
Kasey Velasquez, the chairman of the White Mountain Apache Tribe, praised Burgum’s “strong relationship of trust and transparency with the five tribes of North Dakota,” Crystalyne Curley, the Speaker of the Navajo Nation Council, added that Burgum’s “ability to oversee complex organizations, streamline operations, and prioritize long-term sustainability aligns perfectly with the Department’s mission,” and Tanya Lewis, the chairwoman of the Yavapai-Apache Nation wrote that her “Nation is honored to urge Governor Burgum’s swift confirmation in Congress.”
One Senate GOP chief of staff told the Reporter that Burgum is expected to sail through his confirmation vote.
