Looking ahead with Brad Hawk, executive director of North Dakota Indian Affairs Commission

Government to Government conference key to tribal, state relations

The role of North Dakota’s Indian Affairs Commission, as new Executive Director Brad Hawk sees it, is to bring tribal voices to the table to make decisions.

“We pay attention to tribal sovereignty,” he said. “We want tribes to tell us how things should happen. We want their input to help guide our strategic goals through this office. This is a platform for tribal nations to voice their concerns.”

Hawk, who’s from the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe, was appointed to the Cabinet-level position by North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum earlier this year.

As the office has developed, it’s been able to bridge communication gaps. 

“The office was able to start discussions with state officials, state agencies, and tribal nations, to learn more about the gaps and help solve tribal concerns,” Hawk said. 

Essential in that work is the annual Strengthening Government to Government Conference, which the commission organizes every year. It’s a necessary forum, Hawk said, “to talk about issues and bills, like transportation, grants, law enforcement, education, health and gaming.”

At the convening 10 years ago, tribes stressed the importance of treaties. “Tribal leaders took the time to explain their treaties in hopes of developing better understanding between agencies and tribes,” he said. 

One example of a recent agreement coming out of the government-to-government discussions: The memorandum of understanding between Spirit Lake Nation and the North Dakota Highway Patrol. With it, if a high speed chase goes onto the reservation, law enforcement can now follow and pursue on federal land coordinated with BIA and tribal law enforcement. Prior to this agreement, state law enforcement could not enter onto federal land. 

Leander “Russ” McDonald is the president of United Tribes Technical College in Bismarck. The chairs of each of the five tribal nations in North Dakota are the college’s board of directors. 

McDonald said the Strengthening Government to Government Conference is critical in supporting relationships between tribal and state leadership. 

“Elections and normal employee attrition are examples of why this gathering is important to both governments,” he said. “The impacts that come from the relationship building are consistent service provision, cultural knowledge, and mutual respect.”

The conferences are just one way for tribes to showcase how they are doing things, giving leaders the floor, Hawk said. “It’s another way to communicate with state offices and stakeholders. But it’s a direct communication.” 

The Indian Affairs office has three full-time employees and will soon have four when the economic workforce and development specialist position is filled. Hawk doesn’t see a small staff as a big problem — for now, anyway. 

“That’s been my push when I started at the Indian Affairs Commission, that we make sure to talk to different groups like our nonprofits,” he said. “There is no reason why we shouldn’t be working together.” 

Hawk grew up in Fort Thompson, South Dakota, on the Crow Creek Hunkpati Oyate Reservation. He earned degrees in health administration and business, eventually becoming vice president of Community Wellness Services at United Tribes Technical College. He’s been part of the commission for about 10 years. 

Though he’s only been its executive director for a few short months, local leaders are confident in Hawk. 

“He knows the history, legislative process and structure, and has been consistent in his interactions with tribal leadership,” said McDonald, who also serves as an at-large member of the commission. “He knows the needs of tribal nations and I am confident he’ll be able to relay those needs to the governor.”

Changes and challenges

2024 will mark the North Dakota Indian Affairs Commission’s 75th anniversary. It was established in 1949 with a part-time executive director who was a non-Indigenous man, John Hart of Rolla.

It wasn’t until 1962 that the first Indigenous person served in this role, Hans Walker Jr., an attorney from the Three Affiliated Tribes on the Fort Berthold Reservation. The longest-serving executive director was also the first woman, Juanita Helphrey of the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation, who served for 16 years. 

Hawk said he would also like to see a name change for the office, replacing the word “Indian” in Indian Affairs. He said that is something they will have to take up with the Legislature. 

He’s also considering changes to this year’s annual North Dakota Native American Hall of Honor. Instead of featuring it during the United Tribes Technical College powwow week, Hawk proposes shifting it to November during Native American Heritage Month.

“It’s a work in progress, but we want to enhance November with other events,” Hawk said. “November is a good month, because it leads up to the January legislative session, where there are opportunities for tribal nations to have more visibility in the local community.” 

McDonald said United Tribes would support the event regardless of when it’s held.

When it comes to long-term goals, elections and changes in tribal leadership can create fresh hurdles, Hawk said.

“When they have elections and changes in their administration, it’s a challenge because if we are working on a major project, it’s difficult to carry that on to their next administration,” he said. “But there are changes in state government too, like with legislators, who are champions for tribal communities. We have to work to build that back up.”

Some think the office can help tribal members get enrolled, but that’s a misconception, Hawk said.

“Some folks feel like we have more authority than we do. Our agency does not have authority,” he said. “Our role is to make sure the communications are happening on all levels. We are not a voice for the tribal nations, but rather we bring their voices together. Tribal leaders are the voice of their people.” 

That can also be key in developing federal partnerships, Hawk said.

“We make sure that this office communicates with our federal partners,” he said. “When something federally affects our tribes, that these department heads are hearing it, that it affects them too.”