On Tuesday, October 7th the United States Senate confirmed William “Billy” Kirkland as the Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Indian Affairs. Mr. Kirkland’s confirmation makes him the highest-level Navajo currently serving in the U.S. Government.
Mr. Kirkland’s clans are Bįįh Bitoon’nii born for bilagáanaa, his cheii is Tłízí łání and his nalí is bilagáanaa, and his maternal family hails from LeChee, AZ. Mr. Kirkland previously worked as a senior strategist for Vice President Mike Pence, and later served as Deputy Director at the White House’s Office of Intergovernmental Affairs. As Deputy Director, he liaised with Tribes as well as state and local governments across the United States, including the Navajo Nation. He also played a key role in leading President Trump’s response to the MMIP crisis, notably being an architect of Operation Lady Justice.
The Department of the Interior’s Assistant Secretary – Indian Affairs leads the Department’s work in upholding the government’s treaty and trust obligations to tribes. The Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs oversees all programs at the department related to Indian Country, including the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Bureau of Indian Education, and the Bureau of Trust Funds Administration.
President Nygren extends his sincere congratulations to Mr. Kirkland and looks forward to working with him to address the Navajo Nation’s top federal priorities.
