The Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians unanimously endorsed Kevin Washburn to lead the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

The ATNI board met Friday to consider Washburn's nomination. Tribal leaders said his quick confirmation was necessary to protect the health, safety, welfare, education, employment and preservation of cultural and natural resources for 57 tribes in Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Nevada, Montana and California.

“This is a critically important position to tribes, here in the Northwest and throughout the country,” said Fawn Sharp, the president of ATNI. “We are confident that Mr. Washburn is highly capable of handling this important responsibility and we look forward to working with him.”

President Barack Obama sent Washburn's nomination to the Senate last Thursday. A confirmation hearing, however, won't occur until lawmakers return from their five-week break in the middle of September.

“We encourage the Senate to confirm Mr. Washburn as quickly as possible,” said Sharp, who also serves as president of the Quinault Nation in Washington.

Washburn is a member of the Chickasaw Nation. He currently serves as dean of the law school at the University of New Mexico.

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Praise for Kevin Washburn as Bureau of Indian Affairs nominee (8/3)
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Relevant Documents:
White House Announcement | Letter to Law School | UNM Press Release | DOI Press Release | Sen. Bingaman | Sen. Tom Udall

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Tricky timing for Senate confirmation of Kevin Washburn at BIA (8/3)
Praise for Kevin Washburn as Bureau of Indian Affairs nominee (8/3)
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