Pueblo citizen Lynn Trujillo named to governor's cabinet in New Mexico

Wednesday, January 23, 2019  

By Acee Agoyo

Tribal leaders and advocates are welcoming a new leader for New Mexico's Department of Indian Affairs.

Lynn Trujillo, a citizen of the Pueblo of Sandia, will serve as Secretary of Indian Affairs for Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D). She comes to the job with over two decades of work in tribal, state and federal policy.

"Lynn Trujillo is a great choice for New Mexico Secretary of Indian Affairs," Rep. Deb Haaland (D-New Mexico), who is one of the first two Native women in Congress, said in a post on Twitter after the announcement on Tuesday.

Leaders of the Navajo Nation also hailed the appointment. The tribe has the largest land base in the state and is eager to work on infrastructure, capital outlay projects and gaming issues.

“Over the years, we’ve built a stronger partnership with the state and we want to strengthen that even more under the leadership of Secretary Trujillo and Governor Lujan Grisham," President Jonathan Nez, who took office last week, said in a press release on Tuesday.

Today I announced the appointment of Stephanie Schardin Clarke as Secretary of the Taxation and Revenue Department and Lynn Trujillo as Secretary of Indian Affairs. pic.twitter.com/FUAmKSO44Q

— Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (@GovMLG) January 22, 2019

Delegates on the Navajo Nation Council identified capital outlays, education and improved tribal-state relations as priorities as Trujillo gets to work.

"We are seeking her support to move forward our education and capital outlay initiatives, and to cut the red tape to better serve our New Mexico Navajo people,” said Delegate Seth Damon, who is serving as Speaker Pro Tem until the tribe's legislative body selects a permanent leader at its upcoming session.

"We also feel this is an important time for the state of New Mexico to enact and fulfill obligations under the State Tribal Collaboration Act,” added Delegate Mark Freeland, who represents Navajo communities in New Mexico.

Lujan Grisham, a former member of the U.S. Congress, took office on January 1. In her first State of the State address a couple of weeks later, she vowed to strengthen relations with the Apache, Navajo and Pueblo tribes with homelands in New Mexico.

"Under this administration, we will see a full restoration of positive, collaborative relationships between the state and our tribes," Lujan Grisham said on January 16. "We will rebuild an effective inter-governmental framework by working directly with the sovereign Native nations of New Mexico."

During the tenure of Lujan Grisham's predecessor, the Fort Sill Apache Tribe had to go to court to gain recognition of its status in the state. And the Pueblo of Pojoaque repeatedly fought the prior governor, a Republican, on gaming issues.

"No more disregard, no more disrespect," Lujan Grisham said in her address, in which she vowed to increase funding for Indian education. "Let us begin renewing these essential relationships, starting today."

Under the state law that established the Department of Indian Affairs, Trujillo can begin working as Secretary immediately. However, the New Mexico Senate must still vote to confirm her to the post.