New Mexico’s governor is standing firm in her decision to nominate a former tribal leader who once faced sexual assault charges to head the state’s Indian Affairs Department, fueling anger among Native American advocates who have been working to address violence and missing persons cases within their communities.
The advocates are pushing a state Senate committee to hold a confirmation hearing for James Mountain, just as the panel has done for others in Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham's cabinet. Not doing so means Mountain won't be publicly vetted like other top officials but still can serve in the job.
