On Oct. 7, the United States Senate confirmed William “Billy” Kirkland as the assistant secretary of the Interior for Indian Affairs with a 51-47 vote. Kirkland’s confirmation makes him the highest-level Navajo currently serving in the U.S. government. … Kirkland told the committee that he first learned first-hand infrastructure struggles of reservation life while hauling water to his grandmother Susie’s sheep camp in LeChee. “Like on many reservations even today, water is scarce, and electricity was just a dream,” he said.

Other tribal policy news:

• California Natural Resources Agency: Tribal consultation policy, best practices, and resources