Bordeaux gives endorsement and testimony for Lillian Sparks

WASHINGTON, DC Lillian Sparks (Oglala/Sicangu Lakota) has been nom inated by United States President Obama to serve as the Commissioner of Administration for Native Americans, Department of Health and Human Services.

Photos courtesy of NIEA She gave a brief testimony, accompa nied by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Presi dent, Rodney Bordeaux.

US President Obama has been atten tive to Native issues and she has been asked to implement the President’s agenda for Tribal communities.

In her capacity as NIEA’s executive di rector, she has brought national atten tion to education issues concerning American Indians, Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians for almost 6 years.

This appointment will cover not only education, but economic and infra structure development, early childhood education, language preservation, and the principals of tribal self determina tion, tribal consultation, and tribal in clusion.

Lillian with her mother, Georgeline. She told the Senate Committee on In dian Affairs, “I look forward to working with the members of this Committee to provide essential services to Native American communities across the country.” All of the Committee was very enthusiastic about her nomination.

This position serves the American In dian, Alaska Native and Native Hawai ian communities within the Health and Human Services. The position has been vacant for over a year, last served by Quanah Crossland Stamps (Cherokee Nation).

Lillian will continue to be with the National Indian Education Association and will host their Legislative Summit, held this February 8 10 in Washington, DC.

Lillian Sparks joins other prominent American Indian appointments in the Obama Administration including; Inte rior Assistant Secretary for Indian Af fairs Larry Echo Hawk, White House Senior Policy Adviser for Native Amer ican Affairs Kim Teehee, White House Associate Director of Intergovernmental Affairs Jodi Gillette, and Indian Health Service Director Yvette Roubideaux.