Former Bay Mills Indian Community Chairman Bryan Newland was announced as a new member of the agency leadership team at the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), as principal deputy assistant secretary.
Newland accepted the position last week, marking his second stint with the BIA. Newland previously served under the Obama administration.
“I’m incredibly excited to join such a talented team at the department and to get to work to carry out the president’s plan to uphold the United States’ trust obligation to tribal nations,” Newland said, according to the Sault News. “We’ve got a lot of work to do and I’m eager to do it.”
In addition to his recent job as tribal chairman, Newland served as chief judge of the Bay Mills Tribal Court. From 2009 to 2012, he served as a counselor and policy advisor to the assistant secretary of the Department of Interior, Indian affairs. He is a graduate of Michigan State University and the Michigan State University College of Law.
“As we work to advance President Biden’s vision for a clean energy future that creates good-paying jobs, protects the environment and powers our nation, we are thrilled to welcome our newest teammates,” said Jennifer Van der Heide, chief of staff. “The diverse experiences of our staff will help us address the four intersecting challenges that the president has made a priority for his administration: Covid-19, economic recovery, racial equity and climate change—all of which disproportionately impact tribal communities with whom we have a critical trust responsibility.”
The BIA is under the U.S. Department of the Interior, which, pending Senate confirmation, will be under its first Native American secretary, New Mexico Congresswoman Deb Haaland.
