- Details
- By Native News Online Staff
WASHINGTON — One month after he was confirmed by the U.S. Senate, Bryan Newland (Ojibwe) was ceremonially sworn in today as Department of the Interior’s Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs.
Newland grew up in the Bay Mills Indian Community in Brimley, Mich. and served as president of the tribe before being picked in February by President Joe Biden to work as Principal Deputy Assistant to the Secretary of Indian Affairs at the U.S. Dept. of the Interior. He was sworn in by Interior Secretary Deb Haaland.
Want more Native News? Get the free daily newsletter today.
“Bryan has worked on behalf of Indigenous peoples and Indian Country for decades. His wealth of experience will advance the Department’s commitment to ensuring Tribes have a seat at the table for every decision that impacts them and their communities,” Haaland said. “From clean energy projects and economic development to addressing past injustices against Tribal communities, Bryan will lead with the knowledge that we best serve Indigenous peoples when Tribal governments are empowered to lead their communities.”
“I am honored to be back at the Department of the Interior working on behalf of Tribal communities and alongside a historic Secretary,” Newland said. “The Biden-Harris administration has made clear its priorities to respect Tribal sovereignty and self-governance, fulfill federal trust and treaty responsibilities to Tribal Nations, and make regular, meaningful and robust consultation with Tribal Nations cornerstones of federal Indian policy. I am committed to engaging with Tribes every step of the way and ensuring they have the support and resources they need to fully thrive.”
Prior to his federal service, Newland worked as an attorney with Fletcher Law PLLC in Lansing, Mich. He represented tribal clients on issues including the regulation of gaming facilities, negotiation of tribal-state gaming compacts, the fee-to-trust process, and leasing of Indian lands. He graduated magna cum laude from Michigan State University College of Law and received his undergraduate degree from James Madison College at Michigan State University.
More Stories Like This
California Moves Forward with Pilot MMIP ProgramNative News Weekly (April 14, 2024): D.C. Briefs
Biden Nominates Heather M. Cahoon to Board of Trustees of Morris K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall Foundation
Native Bidaské with Lyndsay Amato on the #BraidsforCole Movement
Services to Honor Cole Brings Plenty's Life Commence This Weekend in South Dakota
Native Perspective. Native Voices. Native News.
We launched Native News Online because the mainstream media often overlooks news that is important is Native people. We believe that everyone in Indian Country deserves equal access to news and commentary pertaining to them, their relatives and their communities. That's why the story you’ve just finished was free — and we want to keep it that way, for all readers. We hope you'll consider making a donation to support our efforts so that we can continue publishing more stories that make a difference to Native people, whether they live on or off the reservation. Your donation will help us keep producing quality journalism and elevating Indigenous voices. Any contribution of any amount — big or small — gives us a better, stronger future and allows us to remain a force for change. Donate to Native News Online today and support independent Indigenous-centered journalism. Thank you.
