Sep
18
2012
Our friend and colleague Kevin Washburn is one step closer to filling the position of AS-IA, or Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs in the U.S. Department of the Interior. On September 14, during a nomination hearing before the U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, chaired by Sen. Daniel Akaka, D-Hawaii, Washburn testified, "I will commit to you [that] if I am confirmed, I will be a voice
within the Department for strong argument and advocacy for protection of
the resources that we need to carry out our solemn obligations to the
tribes under treaties and the trust responsibility….” Interior Department
With All Deliberate Speed: Hearing Held on Deputy Interior Secretary Nominee
Mar
16
2009
Despite high expectations, things have slowed down a little at the Interior Department. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar has been the only confirmed nominee, and not much is happening on Indian affairs. However, former Clinton Administration Deputy Interior Secretary David J. Hayes is set to assume the same position under President Obama.Hayes, an attorney, has been a partner at the Washington office of Latham & Watkins, well known as one of the leading environmental, energy, and natural resource law firms in the world. At Latham & Watkins, Hayes’ practice focused on counseling, litigation, and transactions, and he was, in effect, a lobbyist.
With a promised focus on tribal economic development, Hayes told the Senate Entergy and Natural Resources Committee that he is looking forward to “working with Native American communities,” which “was one of the most rewarding aspects of the job” when he worked at Interior in the Clinton era.
Although after leaving office last time around, Hayes was accused of violating anti-“revolving door” policies designed to prevent too much cozying up between lobbyists and government, a bipartisan investigation did not evidence that to be the case. Still, the relationship did not sit too well with Senator John McCain. Hayes did not represent any tribal clients during his time at Latham and Watkins.
Ken Salazar Tapped to Head Interior Department
Dec
18
2008
President-elect Obama has tapped Senator Ken Salazar (D-CO) to head the Department of the Interior. Salazar is former director of the Colorado Department of Natural Resources and state attorney general. A first-term senator, he is a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.Who’s the Key to the Transition for Indian Country?
Dec
11
2008
Keith Harper, a member of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, is a Lead on Barack Obama’s Interior Department Review Team. This means he is in the process of shaping what the incoming administration’s Interior Department will look like in terms of personnel as well as ideological and political posture.U.S. Supreme Court to Hear Narragansett Case on November 3
Oct
31
2008
On Monday, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments in Carcieri v. Kempthorne, the case that is expected to settle, once and for all, the litigation between Rhode Island and the Narragansett Indian Tribe that began in 1975, when the Narragansett filed suit to recover tribal lands in Rhode Island.The Court is expected to decide two key issues:
New "Section 20" Regulations: The Best Interests Exception
Jun
24
2008
So here we go with the “best interests” exception, otherwise known as the “two-part determination.” Follow this:New "Section 20" Regulations: Restored Lands Exception
Jun
19
2008
Still more in our series on the National Indian Gaming Commission’s new “Section 20” regulations concerning gaming on newly acquired lands:In section 2719(b), IGRA creates an exception for "lands are taken into trust as part of . . . (iii) the restoration of lands for an Indian tribe that is restored to Federal recognition." The new regulations, in 25 C.F.R. sections 292.7 to 292.12, set out the requirements for the restored lands exception.
