Coverage of tribal natural resources is supported in part by Catena Foundation
The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee recently witnessed the testimony of Doug Burgum, former Governor of North Dakota, who has been nominated to become the 55th Secretary of the Interior. This hearing drew attention due to the critical issues involving tribal communities and natural resources management.
U.S. Sen. Ruben Gallego of Arizona, who had previously met with Burgum, commended his understanding of tribal communities. “We also discussed a lot about our tribal communities,” Gallego noted. “I’m very glad you have good background and understanding and relationships with them.” A significant part of their discussion focused on the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the ongoing crisis of murdered and missing Indigenous individuals.
Burgum acknowledged the gravity of the situation, stating, “I mean, this is again an unseen tragedy in America. You know, we lose a college student at spring break, it’s a Netflix series, and the whole nation knows her name personally, and then we have the same individual tragedies that happen over and over again in Indian Country, and people aren’t even aware that it’s going on. So we’ve got to change our entire approach to this.”
As part of his transition team, President-elect Donald Trump appointed Burgum to steer the Department of the Interior, which oversees the nation’s natural and cultural resources. Previously, the Trump administration had launched a task force called Operation Lady Justice, aiming to address over 4,200 cold cases concerning Indigenous peoples.
The hearing also touched upon the imminent expiration of the Colorado River guidelines, with Gallego expressing concerns about future water management and seeking assurance that any modifications would not disproportionately affect any state involved.
“Would you work with Arizona parties and my office,” Gallego asked, “so that any termination post 2026 is not overly burdensome to any one state and is consistent with the Colorado River Compact?” Burgum responded by emphasizing a collaborative approach, “I know that this has been a battle that’s going on as long as there have been people in the West. I’ve got some good understanding and good exposure to this, but I think you can count on that we’re going to look for a collaborative solution that serves everyone.”
Additionally, the need for improvements at the Glen Canyon Dam, which is crucial for delivering Colorado River water to the Lower Basin states and tribes, was highlighted during the discussions.
In support of Burgum’s nomination, approximately 180 tribes, including the Coalition of Large Tribes and members such as the Navajo Nation and San Carlos Apache Tribe, submitted endorsement letters, reflecting wide tribal backing.
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