Kevin Washburn, a professor at the University of New Mexico School of Law and former Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Indian Affairs, discussed his experiences and insights on Indian law in an interview with Modrall Sperling. Washburn, a member of the Chickasaw Nation, has had a long career in federal government and law, including roles as a federal prosecutor, civil litigator, and law professor. He served three years as Assistant Secretary-Indian Affairs under Secretary Ken Salazar, during which he worked on various initiatives to improve federal-tribal relations, including land into trust, tribal self-determination, and child welfare. Washburn noted that the federal government's relationship with tribes has improved over the past 40 years, with terms like "sovereignty," "self-governance," and "trust responsibility" becoming more ingrained in federal policies. He emphasized the importance of constructive engagement between tribal communities and federal employees to achieve progress. He left the Department of the Interior after serving two years, but stayed longer than intended due to the support he received from leadership. Washburn praised the Obama administration's efforts to increase federal funding for Indian affairs and set a goal of 500,000 acres into trust for tribes. He also highlighted the success of the Land Buy Back Program, which restored 1.5 million acres of trust land to tribes. His proudest achievement was building an effective Indian affairs team at the Department of the Interior, which led to numerous reforms and improvements in tribal governance and self-determination. Washburn expressed disappointment with the ongoing issue of youth suicide in Indian country, which he attributed to poverty, substance abuse, and loneliness. He believed that economic development was key to addressing these long-term social problems. He also discussed the impact of recent Supreme Court decisions on the Department of the Interior's trust mission, noting the Court's increasingly literal approach to statutory language, which has created unpredictability in Indian law. Despite this, Washburn remained committed to advocating for tribal rights and improving federal-tribal relations.Kevin Washburn, a professor at the University of New Mexico School of Law and former Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Indian Affairs, discussed his experiences and insights on Indian law in an interview with Modrall Sperling. Washburn, a member of the Chickasaw Nation, has had a long career in federal government and law, including roles as a federal prosecutor, civil litigator, and law professor. He served three years as Assistant Secretary-Indian Affairs under Secretary Ken Salazar, during which he worked on various initiatives to improve federal-tribal relations, including land into trust, tribal self-determination, and child welfare. Washburn noted that the federal government's relationship with tribes has improved over the past 40 years, with terms like "sovereignty," "self-governance," and "trust responsibility" becoming more ingrained in federal policies. He emphasized the importance of constructive engagement between tribal communities and federal employees to achieve progress. He left the Department of the Interior after serving two years, but stayed longer than intended due to the support he received from leadership. Washburn praised the Obama administration's efforts to increase federal funding for Indian affairs and set a goal of 500,000 acres into trust for tribes. He also highlighted the success of the Land Buy Back Program, which restored 1.5 million acres of trust land to tribes. His proudest achievement was building an effective Indian affairs team at the Department of the Interior, which led to numerous reforms and improvements in tribal governance and self-determination. Washburn expressed disappointment with the ongoing issue of youth suicide in Indian country, which he attributed to poverty, substance abuse, and loneliness. He believed that economic development was key to addressing these long-term social problems. He also discussed the impact of recent Supreme Court decisions on the Department of the Interior's trust mission, noting the Court's increasingly literal approach to statutory language, which has created unpredictability in Indian law. Despite this, Washburn remained committed to advocating for tribal rights and improving federal-tribal relations.