The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs on Oct. 12 heard opening testimony and questioning in the nomination of William H. “Billy” Kirkland to be Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs.

Chairwoman Lisa Murkowski, chair of the Committee on Indian Affairs, told Kirkland the post is central to the federal government’s obligations to tribes: “The assistant secretary for Indian affairs is an important position at the interior department. Your job, if confirmed, will be to assist and support secretary Burgum in fulfilling The United States trust responsibility to the federally recognized American Indians and Alaska Native tribes and individual Indian trust beneficiaries across the country. This trust responsibility is the cornerstone of federal Indian law and policy.”

The committee heard introductions and advocacy for Kirkland from Representative Brian Jack, who called Kirkland “selfless, loyal, and effective” and said Kirkland had organized White House engagement with tribal governments in the prior administration.

In his opening statement, Kirkland, who identified himself as a member of the Navajo Nation, described his upbringing on reservation lands and framed his priorities around consultation with tribal leaders and fulfillment of trust duties. “If confirmed, my goal would be able to meet those needs and further advance the self governance and self determination they so desire,” Kirkland said.

Kirkland told the committee he would work with tribal governments, Alaska Native Corporations and Native Hawaiians, and that he planned to consult with former assistant secretaries and tribal leaders to build institutional knowledge. He cited prior work involving Operation Lady Justice, the Savannah’s Act and the Not Invisible Act as part of his background in coordinating tribal policy while in the White House.

Committee members repeatedly framed the post as one that requires both strong management of a large organization and close, sustained consultation with tribes. Murkowski and other members emphasized immediate operational priorities — including probate backlogs, tribal public safety, contaminated-site cleanup and climate-threatened village relocations — as early items the assistant secretary must address.

Kirkland was sworn before offering his testimony and answered routine pre-testimony questions about availability to appear before the committee and conflicts of interest; he stated he had no disqualifying investments and no blind trust assets.

The committee held the record open for additional questions following the hearing.