FROM THE ARCHIVE

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In The Hoop
TUESDAY, JULY 2, 2002

Welcome to In The Hoop, Indianz.Com's occasional column about assorted Indian issues.

Vacation Announcement
Indianz.Com is declaring its independence from vague warnings of unsubstantiated terrorist chatter and is going on vacation this July 4 weekend!

The holiday will extend to July 9, so those readers needing their daily Indian news fix will have to hold tight. Or, better yet, go on a long vacation too. You deserve it.

But tune in for some oldies but goodies during the temporary shutdown.

Yo Hablo To Lose
Popular former New Mexico Congressman Bill Richardson, now running for governor of the Land of Enchantment, has come up with a wonderful idea. Hold a debate in Spanish.

But while Richardson, a Democrat, can't be credited for a proposition that is gaining ground elsewhere, he can be praised for his cojones. It turns out that GOP opponent John Sanchez can't speak his ancestral language.

"I'm fluent on the issues," said Sanchez when asked if he could debate the fluent Richardson in Spanish, as reported by The Albuquerque Journal.

Bureau of Indian Affairs Promotions
During our very first Reader Appreciation Survey, In The Hoop readers demanded to know more about hirings (and firings) at the Bureau of Indian Affairs. We regret to inform you that no one has been fired (although the ghost of Deputy Commissioner Sharon Blackwell seems to be lingering a bit longer than expected).

But we can announce some movement within Assistant Secretary Neal McCaleb's office. Rising faster than you can say Wayne Smith, Aurene Martin has been promoted from "acting" deputy assistant secretary to just plain ole deputy assistant secretary, which means she'll handle certain decisions when her boss can't, such as that pending Chickasaw Nation land-into-trust application we told you about last week.

New to the office is Dan DuBray, who will serve as McCaleb's communications director. DuBray was a former spokesperson for Rep. Harold Rogers (R-Ky.), former Rep. Rick Hill (R-Mont.), former Rep. Ron Marlenee (R-Mont.) and a House Appropriations subcommittee.

In Your Hoop
Who do you think will replace Sharon Blackwell as Deputy Commissioner? Or will the position go unfilled? Email In the Hoop and let us know.