Indian Country Today interviews Diane J. Humetewa, a member of the Hopi Tribe of Arizona, who serves as U.S. Attorney for Arizona.
Humetewa is the first Native woman to serve as a federal prosecutor. "Many times, Native females come up to me and say I'm their role model," she tells ICT.
Humetewa says U.S. Attorney General Michael Mukasey reached out to her to learn about Indian issues. "I definitely know that this attorney general is committed to these issues," she says.
National Congress of American
Indians President Joe Garcia criticized the Department of Justice at a Senate hearing last week. He singled out Humetewa for telling Congress that the department was doing a "great job" on law enforcement in Indian Country.
Get the Story:First female Native US attorney airs her concerns (Indian Country Today 6/23) Related Stories:
Federal prosecutor defends efforts at DOJ (6/20)
Interview with U.S. Attorney Diane Humetewa (6/11)
Hopi woman confirmed as U.S. Attorney for Arizona (12/14)
Hopi woman nominated as US Attorney for Arizona (11/16)
Hopi woman passed over for interim US Attorney (2/1)
Hopi woman touted as next US Attorney for Arizona (1/29)
Bush urged to nominate Hopi woman for U.S. Attorney (01/05)