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In The Hoop
JULY 10, 2001

Diva #4: Hilda Manuel, Former Deputy Commissioner, Bureau of Indian Affairs

Hilda "Iron Fist" Manuel.

Long before Sharon Blackwell stepped on the scene, this Tohono O'odham Nation Diva was setting high standards for the position of Deputy Commissioner which some say are tough to live up to.

A great friend with our aging diva, Manuel was known to have her hands in everything at the same time while seemingly managing to do very little except stir up controversies. But don't underestimate this diva, she might bite back! If you believe Cobell and Crew, it was Manuel's "iron fist" that was responsible for retaliating against yet another one of our divas.

After her resignation, this diva took up a position at a law firm (what former Indian official doesn't) where she is focusing on key issues important to Indian County. In the Hoop reads between the lines and says Manuel is focusing on key issues important to her checkbook.

Diva Forecast: This Diva has kept a low profile in her job as lobbyist, deferring public appearances and public statements to her other more glamorous / media-driven colleague / former boss Kevin Gover (Honorary Diva #1). But you can bet that Steptoe & Johnson is using Manuel's knowledge of the Interior's inner workings to maximize returns for its current and potential clients.

Look for this Diva to make an appearance in a controversy soon. Is she behind her tribe's publicity push for a citizenship bill? Only the quarterly lobbying filings will tell.

Diva #1 | Diva #2 | Diva #3 | Diva #4 | Diva #5 | Diva #6

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