The leaders of two southern Arizona tribes have been appointed to join the Tribal Homeland Security Advisory Council.
DHS says the newly formed council will advise on "policies and practices that affect Indian Country, including emergency management, law enforcement, cybersecurity, domestic terrorism and targeted violence, and border security."
DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas first announced the initiative in September.
This month, he named 15 tribal leaders across the U.S. who’d been tapped to join. The list includes Tohono O’odham Nation Chairman Ned Norris Jr. and Pascua Yaqui Tribe Chairman Peter Yucupicio — who will serve as council chair.
Mayorkas said appointees would represent more than 564,000 registered tribal members around the country, and 178 villages and village corporations. He said the council was formed with the goal to "uphold treaty and trust responsibilities to Indian Country," and would present recommendations and reports to his office and would also engage with other wings within DHS.
