Former National Congress of American Indians president John Gonzales, of San Ildefonso Pueblo in New Mexico, is being endorsed as the new assistant secretary.

Sen. Pete Domenici (R) and Reps. Steve Pearce (R) and Heather Wilson (R) sent a letter to the White House praising Gonzales, who has been active in Indian affairs all of his life. Gonzales has served as governor of this tribe, was a former president and an area vice president of NCAI and has worked with the All Indian Pueblo Council, the Eight Northern Pueblo Indian Council, the Department of Interior, Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Council of Energy Resource Tribes.

A graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Stanford University, Gonzales also has been active in Republican issues. He was most recently a delegate to the Republican National Convention in 2004 and he defended President Bush during the campaign against tribal and Democratic criticism. He also sought public office last year in New Mexico but did not win the election.

The White House is looking at various tribal leaders to replace former assistant secretary Dave Anderson.

Get the Story:
Gonzales endorsed for BIA post (The Los Angeles Monitor 3/4)
Ex-Pueblo Gov. Eyed for BIA (The Albuquerque Journal 3/4)
N.M. Lawmakers Advocate Former San Ildefonso Governor to Lead Interior Dept. Indian Affairs (Sen. Domenici 3/3)

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