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Sen. Gallego questions Interior nominee Doug Burgum amid confirmation hearing

Former North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum testifies before members of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee on Jan. 16, 2025.
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Former North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum testifies before members of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee on Jan. 16, 2025.
Coverage of tribal natural resources is supported in part by Catena Foundation

Former North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum testified Thursday before members of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, including U.S. Sen. Ruben Gallego. He wanted to know how President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee would help tribes in Arizona if confirmed as the 55th secretary of the Interior.

The freshman Arizona senator shared that met with Burgum beforehand.

“We also discussed a lot about our tribal communities,” said Gallego. “I’m very glad you have good background and understanding and relationships with them.”

And specifically about policing, since this federal agency also oversees the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Gallego asked whether he should expect Burgum to advocate for more funding to combat the murdered missing Indigenous peoples epidemic.

“I mean, this is again an unseen tragedy in America,” Burgum answered. “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.”

President-elect Donald Trump and his transition team named outgoing North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum to lead the agency that manages the nation’s natural and cultural resources.

The first Trump administration, formed by executive order, a task force called Operation Lady Justice, opening seven offices dedicated to investigating at least 4,200 cold cases nationwide.

Gallego also pressed Trump’s Cabinet pick about the Colorado River guidelines that are set to expire by next year.

“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?”

“I know that this has been a battle that’s going on as long as there have been people in the West,” Burgum responded. “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.”

Gallego also brought attention to fixing deficiencies at Glen Canyon Dam, which helps deliver Colorado River water to the four Lower Basin states and tribes.

Senate committee leadership mentioned that some 180 tribes submitted letters of endorsement backing Burgum, including the Coalition of Large Tribes; the Navajo Nation and San Carlos Apache Tribe are members.

Gabriel Pietrorazio is a correspondent who reports on tribal natural resources for KJZZ.