WASHINGTON – Observers of most Senate Indian Affairs Committee hearings have come to learn that Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, is rarely shy about bringing awareness to Native American – and especially Alaska Native – issues.

As vice chair of the committee since July 2007, it was commonplace to see her probing federal employees, tribal leaders and others on how Alaska Natives and Native Americans are doing in a variety of arenas. It was also a signature of her tenure to use her time to question those giving testimony to bring attention to poverty-stricken Alaska Native villages, as well as to communities that have achieved great strides.

So, it was with some trepidation that some Natives received the news in January that she was stepping down as vice chair of the committee, although she would continue as a member. Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., has since replaced her, and it’s no secret that his record with Native issues has not been viewed as favorably as Murkowski’s.

Indian Country Today recently interviewed the senator regarding her decision to leave the leadership of SCIA and its implications.

Indian Country Today: Why did you choose to give up your leadership position?
Sen. Lisa Murkowski: I have enjoyed my service as vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, and would have been content to remain in this role if the rules permitted me to serve as ranking member of two committees. [She has gone on to serve as ranking member of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee and has become a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee].

Although I will no longer serve as vice chair, I will continue to be an active member of the committee. In fact, I’ve doubled the number of staff in my personal office who focus on American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian issues.

ICT: Can you give more details?
Murkowski: Megan Alvanna-Stimpfle, King Island Inupiaq, has moved to my personal office after serving as a professional staff member on the committee and Nathan Bergerbest, former general counsel of Doyon, Limited, the regional Native Corporation for Interior Alaska, who has staffed me on these issues for the past six years will continue his work on Native issues.

I’m also interested in revitalizing the Senate Native American Caucus, which has been inactive for some time. We need to have a venue to bring together senators who are interested in advancing Native issues, but do not serve on the committee.

ICT: Will you be an advocate for Indian country in your new positions?
Murkowski: My new roles as ranking member of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee and member of the Senate Appropriations Committee open new opportunities to improve the lives of Native people – in Alaska and throughout the nation. The energy committee has jurisdiction over the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act and the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act which are critically important laws for Alaska’s Native peoples. The federal protections for subsistence hunting and fishing by residents of rural Alaska are contained in ANILCA. The Energy Committee also has oversight responsibilities for the Indian title of the Energy Policy Act of 2005.

I am disappointed that the prior administration did not do more to implement the provisions which encourage the development of energy resources on Indian lands and will press the new administration to do better.

On the appropriations committee, I will continue my work to increase funding for the IHS and other essential Indian programs. Let’s not forget, as well, that I continue to serve on the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, which has jurisdiction over the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration programs.

ICT: Do you worry at all that Alaska Natives will receive less attention as a result of your move?
Murkowski: I don’t believe that the interests of Alaska Natives will be diminished as a result of my decision to accept the ranking role on the energy committee. The Alaska Native community is a leader in self-determination and self governance. They share common interests with tribes around the country that contract and compact Indian programs.

ICT: What are your hopes for the committee moving forward?
Murkowski: I hope that the Indian Affairs Committee will increase its focus on the funding challenges that face tribes that have taken the brave step of taking over programs that were formerly delivered by federal agencies, particularly the persistent shortfall in appropriations for contract support costs. Those tribes that decided to take programs over to the federal government did so primarily to increase the quality of services delivered to their Native people.

In Alaska, we’ve seen real innovations coming out of tribally administered programs, particularly on the health side. Funding shortfalls are taking a real toll on our tribe’s ability to meet their quality standards and innovate. This is something that the committee should be paying a lot more attention to.