Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas announced today during the White House Tribal Nations Summit the appointment of Sault Tribe Unit Director Kimberly Hampton to the newly created Tribal Homeland Security Advisory Council.
Hampton, who will serve as vice chair of the council, is one of 15 members who will advise on homeland security policies and practices that affect Indian Country, including emergency management, law enforcement, cybersecurity, domestic terrorism and targeted violence, and border security.
“Indigenous communities like the Sault Tribe are committed to the safety and security of this country, and I look forward to working with my colleagues on the Council to identify areas where tribal nations can strengthen our partnership with the federal government,” said Hampton, who represents Unit 4 on the Sault Tribe board of directors.
The federal government considers the entire state of Michigan a border zone, which includes three border crossings into Canada and several international airports with Customs and Border Protection units.
The members announced today represent more than 564,000 registered tribal members, 178 villages and village corporations, and collectively embody an extensive knowledge base of homeland security subject matter expertise.
“I am deeply proud to appoint the inaugural members of the Tribal Homeland Security Advisory Council, and I applaud their commitment to help build and strengthen the integral partnership between indigenous communities and our Department of Homeland Security,” said Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas. “Importantly, their counsel will better enable our Department to uphold its responsibilities to Tribal Nations, as we work hand-in-hand to address key areas of the homeland security mission relating to Indian Country.”
Individuals appointed by Secretary Mayorkas to the Council include:
- Peter Yucupicio, Chairman, Pascua Yaqui Tribe (Chair)
- Kimberly Hampton, Board of Directors, Unit 4, Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians (Vice Chair)
- Antonio Cesar Gonzalez Jr., Director of Security, Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas, Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino
- DeCota Thompson, Lieutenant, Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Police Department
- Dustin Newport, Executive Officer of Protective Services, Chickasaw Nation Department of Commerce
- Emmalene Sitting Bear, Director, NHA National Emergency Operations Center, Three Affiliated Tribes of the Fort Berthold Reservation
- Floyd Velasquez, Administrator, Morongo Band of Mission Indians Emergency Services
- Harold Pierite Sr., Chief of Police, Tunica-Biloxi Police Department
- Jeff Hansen, Director, Community Protection, Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma
- Julie Kitka, President, Alaska Federation of Natives
- Lee Edberg, Cybersecurity Manager, Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community
- Lynda Zambrano, Founder and Executive Director, National Tribal Emergency Management Council and the Northwest Tribal Emergency Management Council
- Ned Norris, Jr., Chairman, Tohono O’odham Nation
- Renita DiStefano, Former Chief Information Officer, Seneca Gaming Corporation, Seneca Nation of Indians
- Vivian Korthuis, CEO, Association of Village Council Presidents, Native Village of Emmonak
The Council’s membership reflects the Biden-Harris Administration’s priorities of diversity, equity, and inclusion; membership from various tribal and indigenous communities ensures varied experiences, beliefs, and skillsets are represented. The establishment of this Council —first announced by Secretary Mayorkas in September— and appointment of its inaugural members are part of the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) goal to uphold treaty and trust responsibilities to Indian Country.
The Council will engage with DHS agencies and offices to present recommendations and reports to the Secretary. The Council will be charged with collaborating on all matters of homeland security as they relate to Tribal Nations and indigenous communities.
The first meeting of this Council will be convened by Secretary Mayorkas early next year.
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