We're still waiting for the Bureau of Indian Affairs to confirm, but it's already out in Indian Country that George Skibine will assume the duties of Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs. The job was left open last week when Carl Artman's resignation became effective on May 23.
Skibine, an enrolled member of the Osage Tribe of Oklahoma, has served as acting Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary since April 2007. Prior to that, he was Director of the Office of Indian Gaming Management and acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy and Economic Development – Indian Affairs. His experience at the Interior Department includes having served as an attorney and later as Deputy Associate Solicitor for the Division of Indian Affairs within the Office of the Solicitor after having spent several years at the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Skibine holds an economics degree from the University of Chicago and a law degree from the University of Minnesota Law School.
