The House Subcommittee for Indigenous Peoples of the United States has a new leader for the 117th Congress and it’s a fresh face for Indian Country.

Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández (D-New Mexico) was announced as chair of the subcommittee on Wednesday. She will be working with Rep. Raúl Grijalva (D-Arizona), the leader of the larger House Committee on Natural Resources.

“I am honored that Chairman Grijalva and my colleagues entrusted me to serve as Chair of the Subcommittee for Indigenous Peoples of the United States,” Fernández said in a statement. “I thank them for their support and look forward to working closely with them.”

“In the last year, the pandemic’s disastrous impact on Native American communities made our country aware of something that my district has known for too long — the United States has failed to meet its trust responsibilities to Native Americans, and the consequences are deadly and heartbreaking,” Fernández added. “We can and must do better.”

Fernández is a new member of the U.S. House of Representatives, having won election in November 2020. Her 3rd Congressional District in New Mexico includes the Navajo Nation, the Jicarilla Apache Tribe and several Pueblo tribes.

“In New Mexico, we have a deep respect for our history and our 23 federally recognized tribes who have shared with me their wisdom, challenges and vision during my three decades of work with them,” said Fernández, who worked for tribes when she was an attorney in private practice.

“I look forward to putting this experience to work for all of the Indigenous peoples of the United States,” Fernández continued.

Democrats created the House Subcommittee for Indigenous Peoples of the United States during the 116th Congress to focus on issues affecting American Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians and Indigenous peoples from various U.S. territories. The first chair was Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-Arizona).

“We must build on Chairman Grijalva and former Subcommittee Chair Congressman Gallego’s work to promote economic development and improve access to quality health care, broadband, education, child care and much more,” Fernández said on Wednesday.

On the staffing front, two citizens of the Tohono O’odham Nation are serving in prominent roles. Naomi Miguel has been named staff director for the subcommittee and Ariana Romeo was promoted to professional staffer.

In other developments, Rep. Jesús “Chuy” García (D-Illinois) is the new vice chair of the House Committee on Natural Resources. He succeeds Rep. Deb Haaland (D-New Mexico), who is awaiting confirmation as Secretary of the Interior in President Joe Biden’s administration, in that leadership role.

“I am honored to be appointed Vice Chair of the House Committee on Natural Resources,” García said in a news release on Wednesday. “Under the leadership of Chairman Grijalva, the committee has worked hard to reverse the anti-science, anti-environment agenda of the Trump administration and ensure we end environmental racism, right the wrongs committed against indigenous peoples, and are better stewards of our environment and our planet.”

“I look forward to the committee advancing an ambitious agenda to protect the rights of the people of Puerto Rico and the U.S. territories, defend our public lands and waters, and ensure our children have a healthier, cleaner and safer future,” García added.

I am honored that @RepRaulGrijalva and my colleagues on the @NRDems entrusted me to serve as Chair of the Subcommittee for Indigenous Peoples of the United States.

— Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández (@RepTeresaLF) February 17, 2021

The full list of Democratic leadership for the committee follows:

On the other side of the aisle, the new Republican ranking member of the committee is Rep. Bruce Westerman (R-Arkansas). He announced the GOP leadership lineup on Wednesday.

“I’m so pleased to welcome this incredible lineup of leaders to the Natural Resources Committee. I’ve been able to work with many of them on this committee in the past, and I know they have an array of expertise that will equip them to be strong voices on these issues,” said Westerman, whose 4th Congressional District in Kansas does not include any tribes. “As we begin this new Congress, I believe we have the best possible team ready to take on any challenge and show Americans that conservation is inherently conservative.”

NEW: I’ve just been named Republican Leader of the Subcommittee for Indigenous Peoples of the United States.

I’m very grateful to Republican Leader Bruce Westerman and my colleagues for selecting me to lead this critical Subcommittee. pic.twitter.com/H9sdR8MQpM

— Rep. Don Young (@repdonyoung) February 17, 2021

Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska) is the new ranking Republican on the Subcommittee for Indigenous Peoples of the United States. He previously served as chair of what was known as the Subcommittee Indian, Insular and Alaska Native Affairs.

“I am very grateful to Republican Leader Bruce Westerman and my colleagues for selecting me to be Republican Leader of the Subcommittee for Indigenous Peoples of the United States,” Young said on Wednesday. “The rich history of Alaska Natives is central to my state’s history, culture, and way of life.”

“My late wife, children, and grandchildren are Alaska Native, so supporting and empowering our Indigenous communities is not just good policy; it is a cause I hold very close to my heart,” Young added. “Last Congress, our Subcommittee made significant bipartisan progress on various fronts, including combating the epidemic of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, bolstering tribal sovereignty, and expanding economic opportunity and health care access in Native American communities across the country.”

“But there is still much work ahead of us this Congress, and I look forward to working with both Republicans and Democrats on the Subcommittee to ensure that our First Peoples can grow and thrive for generations to come,” Young concluded.

The Republican leadership follows:

The committee will hold its first organizational meeting on Thursday.

House Committee on Natural Resources sets first meeting (February 15, 2021)
Native women land prominent roles on key Congressional committee (February 1, 2021)
Deb Haaland tapped for Cabinet by President-elect Joe Biden (December 17, 2020)