Posted on: November 22, 2024, 12:57h.
Last updated on: November 22, 2024, 12:57h.
Last Friday, President-elect Donald Trump confirmed that North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum (R) will lead the United States Department of Interior (DOI) under his 47th presidential administration.
The Interior Department is a Cabinet-level agency that manages the federal government’s natural and cultural resources. Among the bureaus the DOI oversees is the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), the oldest DOI bureau that dates back 200 years.
The Indian Affairs Bureau is tasked with carrying out the federal government’s responsibilities relating to the protection and improvement of trust assets owned by American Indians and Alaska Natives. The DOI and BIA are responsible for reviewing newly acquired tribal lands and determining whether they qualify for placement in the federal trust, a critical development for a federally recognized tribe to conduct Class I and II gaming on the property.
Once land is deemed sovereign by the DOI, the tribe can operate Class I and II games of chance and bingo-based electronic gaming machines. For Las Vegas-like slot machines and live dealer table games, tribes must enter into Class III gaming compacts with their host state government.
Burgum Odds Strong
Unlike some of Trump’s other Cabinet-level appointees, Burgum’s nomination to lead the Interior Department is much less controversial.
Political pundits and environmentalists say Burgum is an adequate choice. However, tribes are losing one of its closest and most powerful allies in current Interior Secretary Deb Haaland.
The former Democratic U.S. representative from New Mexico became the first Native American to serve in a presidential Cabinet when she was sworn into the Interior secretary role in March 2021.
Haaland is a member of the Laguna Pueblo, a tribe based near Albuquerque. The Native American community’s economy is largely dependent on its three casinos, including the Dancing Eagle Casino, Route 66 Casino Hotel, and Casino Xpress.
Tribes celebrated Haaland’s appointment three years ago. Many remain optimistic that Burgum will maintain an Interior Department that continues to value the nation’s 574 federally recognized tribes.
I have full confidence that Gov. Burgum’s heart and intentions are in a place that will ensure tribal nations are heard and respected in the decisions that shape our shared future,” Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate Chairman J. Garrett Renville said in a statement.
“North Dakota tribes have such a great relationship with Gov. Burgum,” added Standing Rock Chairwoman Janet Alkire. “We all have such an admiration and respect for the friendship, partnership, and collaboration with Gov. Burgum. He always reached out if we had an issue.”
Senate Confirmation
Before Burgum can take over the DOI, the U.S. Senate must vote favorably on his confirmation. Unlike some of Trump’s other appointments, including Fox News host Pete Hegseth for Defense Secretary, Burgum’s odds of finding majority support in the 50-member congressional chamber are said to be good.
On prediction market betting exchange Kalshi, bettors give Burgum a 96% of becoming the 55th secretary of the Interior. Burgum is excited about the opportunity.
Serving as Interior Secretary is an opportunity to redefine and improve upon the federal government’s relationship with tribal nations, landowners, mineral developers, outdoor enthusiasts, and others, with a focus on maximizing the responsible use of our natural resources with environmental stewardship for the benefit of the American people,” Burgum said.
If confirmed, Burgum will lead an agency with approximately 70K employees that manages over 500 million acres of public lands, 700 million acres of subsurface minerals, and 1.7 billion acres of the Outer Continental Shelf. The Interior Department’s budget for the 2025 fiscal year is $18 billion.
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