New DOI secretary meets with Indian organization.

Dirk Kempthorne met with the National Congress of American Indians on May 30, his first day as the head of DOI. Also present at the lunch meeting at his office were Associate Deputy Secretary Jim Cason, Special Trustee Ross Swimmer and Indian Affairs Associate Solicitor Carl Artman.

"I am impressed with Secretary Kempthorne that his first priority is to establish a relationship with tribal leaders," said NCAI President Joe Garcia. "Our meeting set the stage for a strong continuing relationship. I emphasized the importance of treaties and tribal self-determination, and talked about my four priorities: public safety, education, economic development, and trust settlement."

Secretary Kempthorne said he is making trust reform and Cobell settlement and Indian education top priorities.

A larger Native American audience can see him at the NCAI Midyear in Sault St. Marie on June 19-21.

The Senate confirmation hearing for Kempthorne's appointment lasted one day and he was confirmed by an 85-8 vote May 26.

"I applaud the Senate for confirming Dirk Kempthorne as Secretary of the Interior," President Bush said in a statement. "He will continue my administration's efforts to effectively manage our national parks, support historic and cultural sites through our Preserve America Initiative, and pursue environmentally responsible energy development on Federal lands and waters. He will also work to maintain good relations with Native American tribes."

Sen. Pete Domenici (R-N.M.) applauded the former Idaho governor's stance on Indian water rights settlements including the Aamodt, Abeyta and Navajo. ...