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President Trump chose Senator Markwayne Mullin this week to replace Kristi Noem as head of the Department of Homeland Security. Senator Mullin is a member of the Cherokee Nation. Many Native American tribes had a fraught relationship with Kristi Noem, with several banning or restricting ICE agents from entering their land. As NPR's Kirk Siegler reports, there's now new hope that relations between tribes and DHS will improve.
KIRK SIEGLER, BYLINE: Shortly after the news broke that Noem was out, Senator Markwayne Mullin told reporters he may be a conservative Republican, but he'll try to work across the aisle to ensure that the agency is keeping all Americans safe.
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MARKWAYNE MULLIN: There's a lot of work we can do to get the Department of Homeland Security working for the American people. You know, Department of Homeland Security has a very broad jurisdiction.
SIEGLER: A jurisdiction that includes border security, but also disaster relief under FEMA and not to mention the 575 federally recognized tribes.
CHUCK HOSKIN JR: He treats tribes with respect.
SIEGLER: Chuck Hoskin Jr. is chief of the Cherokee Nation and knows Mullin well from working with him in Congress, but also as a Cherokee citizen.
HOSKIN: I've had different roles in the government of the Cherokee Nation. He's had different roles in the Congress of the United States. And so over the years, we've developed a relationship, and I would call him a friend.
SIEGLER: Hoskin says Cherokees and many tribes were concerned about what they'd seen under Noem's leadership, from delaying disaster aid to ICE agents arresting tribal members, accusing them of being in the country illegally. Chief Hoskin says Mullin understands and respects tribal sovereignty.
HOSKIN: He knows what that is and what it means. He knows that tribes are sovereign governments, and he's treated us with respect. And so I think that is beneficial to Indian country to have that kind of leadership replace Secretary Noem.
SIEGLER: The 2002 creation of the Department of Homeland Security was never that popular in Indian country, known for its sardonic sense of humor. You'll still see tribal members wearing T-shirts that read, The Original Homeland Security, Fighting Terrorism Since 1492. And Trump installing Noem at HHS came with immediate baggage. As South Dakota governor, all nine tribes in her state banned her from entering reservations for what they said was her refusal to follow treaties or consult with them.
ANGELIQUE EAGLEWOMAN: We continued to see that in her time with the Department of Homeland Security.
SIEGLER: Angelique EagleWoman is a member of the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate Tribe in South Dakota. She's also an expert in tribal sovereignty at Mitchell Hamline School of Law in Minneapolis.
EAGLEWOMAN: She had governed a state with nine strong tribal nations and still allowed ICE agents to detain tribal and U.S. citizens. So tribal members have dual citizenship.
SIEGLER: This came to a head during the recent federal immigration crackdown in Minneapolis. ICE agents arrested several American Indians. That sparked tension and confusion as communication broke down between HHS and tribes over their whereabouts. It led to the Oglala Sioux tribe citing sovereignty to ban ICE from entering the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. Sources in Indian country say they're looking forward to a course correction under Mullin and better relations.
HOSKIN: Because Markwayne Mullin himself has the same card I have...
SIEGLER: Again, Cherokee Chief, Chuck Hoskin Jr.
HOSKIN: ...The Cherokee Nation citizenship card with my tribal citizenship on one side, and my federal Department of Interior-issued a card on the back. So he knows what that is and what it means.
SIEGLER: Mullin is expected to face confirmation in the U.S. Senate this month as DHS works to regain public trust across cities and Indian country. Kirk Siegler, NPR News, Boise.
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