Personnel conflicts at Interior may have lead to Carl Artman’s early departure from the Bureau of Indian Affairs. His duties will be assumed by George Skibine, who will maintain his post deputy assistant secretary for Policy and Economic Development.
According to an article in Indian Country Today, Skibine won out over Artman’s heir apparent Majel Russell, because Russell’s strong advocacy for tribal governments did not set well with Interior Department officials. Artman too was viewed as too supportive of tribal governments, the article said. Hmm ... you’d think that would be viewed as a good quality for the assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs. Indian leaders told ICT they expect Skibine to demonstrate the same commitment to tribes.
