Bryan Newland

Bryan Newland is an American attorney, tribal leader, and federal official serving as the Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Indian Affairs. A citizen of the Bay Mills Indian Community, he previously served as the tribe's President and as a senior advisor within the Bureau of Indian Affairs. His career has been dedicated to advancing tribal sovereignty, natural resource management, and federal policy supporting Native American communities.

Early life and education

Bryan Newland was born in 1978 in Michigan and is an enrolled citizen of the Bay Mills Indian Community, a federally recognized tribe located in the state's Upper Peninsula. He pursued his undergraduate education at Michigan State University, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree. He then attended the Michigan State University College of Law, where he received his Juris Doctor degree, laying the foundation for his legal and policy career focused on Federal Indian law.

Career

Following his legal education, Newland's early career involved representing the interests of his tribe and other tribal nations in complex legal and policy matters. He served as in-house counsel for the Bay Mills Indian Community, advising on issues ranging from economic development to jurisdictional authority. His expertise led to his election as President of the Bay Mills Indian Community in 2013, a position he held until 2020, where he focused on initiatives like education, healthcare, and the tribe's treaty rights. During the Obama administration, he also served as a senior policy advisor to the Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Indian Affairs at the Bureau of Indian Affairs in Washington, D.C..

Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Indian Affairs

Nominated by President Joe Biden and confirmed by the United States Senate in July 2021, Newland was sworn in as Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Indian Affairs on July 30, 2021. In this role, he oversees the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Bureau of Indian Education, and the Office of Federal Acknowledgment, managing the Department of the Interior's government-to-government relationships with 574 federally recognized tribes. Key initiatives under his leadership have included addressing the legacy of the federal Indian boarding school system, implementing provisions of the American Rescue Plan Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and advancing co-stewardship of federal lands and waters with tribal nations.

Policy and advocacy work

Throughout his career, Newland has been a prominent advocate for tribal self-determination and sovereignty. His policy work has heavily focused on the protection of treaty rights, particularly in the Great Lakes region concerning hunting, fishing, and environmental stewardship. He has been involved in significant legal and policy discussions surrounding the Indian Child Welfare Act and has worked to strengthen tribal justice systems and economic development programs. His advocacy extends to international forums, engaging on issues of Indigenous rights and consultation.

Personal life

Bryan Newland is married and has children. He maintains strong ties to the Bay Mills Indian Community in Michigan, where he is actively involved in community and cultural life. His personal and professional life is deeply connected to his commitment to serving Native people and advancing the interests of tribal nations across the United States.

Category:1978 births Category:Living people Category:Bay Mills Indian Community Category:Native American politicians Category:United States Assistant Secretaries of the Interior Category:Michigan State University alumni Category:Michigan State University College of Law alumni Category:People from Michigan Category:Democratic Party (United States) state senators