November 14, 2017

Dear Tribal Leader:

President Trump recently nominated Tara Sweeney to be Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs
within the Department of the Interior. The Assistant Secretary is charged with assisting and
supporting the Secretary of the Interior in fulfilling the United States trust responsibility and
maintaining the government-to-government relationship with Indian tribes. The Senate
Committee on Indian Affairs will hold a confirmation hearing on Ms. Sweeneys nomination in
the coming weeks.
As Vice Chair of the Indian Affairs Committee, it is my obligation and commitment to have
ongoing and meaningful Tribal engagement throughout the confirmation process. I would
greatly appreciate your feedback on Ms. Sweeneys ability to serve, based upon your thoughtful
and diligent vetting.
All comments are welcome, but I am particularly interested in your feedback related to the
nominees professional qualifications, including:
1) Specific substantive knowledge or expertise in the Bureau of Indian Affairs mission and
trust obligations to Indian tribes, including management of tribal trust funds, trust lands
and cultural and natural resources, water, agriculture, energy, infrastructure, social
services, child welfare, education, economic development, and law enforcement;
2) Meaningful experience with management, budget, and federal Indian programs and
services;
3) Background experience working directly with Indian tribes;
4) Federal Indian law and policy priorities;
5) Long-term interest and commitment to advancing Indian Country interests;
6) Understanding of the fundamental principles of inherent tribal sovereignty, tribal self-
governance and self-determination, and the federal trust responsibility.
The success and prosperity American Indian and Alaska Native people depend on informed
decisions by Administration officials who have the necessary professional qualifications and a
keen respect for and understanding of the federal trust responsibility.
I urge you to consider whether this nominee satisfies these criteria and whether she will
demonstrate a commitment to upholding and advancing Indian Countrys policy priorities.
Accordingly, you may share your comments with me directly and confidentially by writing to:
sentomudall@tomudall.senate.gov.

Sincerely,
________________________
Tom Udall