Tara Sweeney

Tara Sweeney or Katuk is an Iñupiaq businesswoman and former government official. Sweeney served as Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Indian Affairs from 2018 to 2021, where she oversaw the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA). Sweeney was formerly a member of Governor of Alaska Frank Murkowski's cabinet.[1]

Tara Sweeney
Katuk
13th Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Indian Affairs
In office
August 2018 – January 20, 2021
PresidentDonald Trump
Preceded byKevin K. Washburn
Succeeded byDarryl LaCounte
Personal details
NationalityAmerican, Iñupiaq
Spouse(s)Michael Sweeney
Children2
RelativesEileen MacLean (mother)
Alma materCornell University (B.S.)

Early life and education

A daughter of Bryan MacLean, a teacher, and Eileen MacLean, who served as a Democratic member of the Alaska Legislature.[2] Of Iñupiaq descent, she is a member of the Native Village of Barrow Inupiat Traditional Government.[3] One of her ancestors translated the Bible into the Inupiaq language.[4]

Sweeney grew up in the towns of Wainwright, Bethel, Unalakleet, Utqiagvik in rural Alaska. In 1991, she graduated from Barrow High School. Sweeney attended Cornell University, where she received a B.S. degree in Industrial and Labor Relations in 1998.[4]

Business career in Alaska
Tara Sweeney being sworn in for her new role at the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

For almost two decades she has worked for Arctic Slope Regional Corporation (ASRC) with subsidiaries, in various positions, the last being as Executive Vice President of External Affair where she served as the company's spokesperson. In this capacity, she has advocated for opening the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge for oil drilling. She has a birthright co-ownership in the company.

She started a one-year term as co-chair of the Alaska Federation of Natives in October 2013.[3] From 2015 to 2017, Sweeney served as chair of the Arctic Economic Council as a representative of the Inuit Circumpolar Council.[4]

Bureau of Indian Affairs

Following the election of Donald Trump as President, Sweeney said she looked forward to increased oil industry activity in Alaska, stating “I think it’s safe to say the Arctic is open for business".[5]

In October 2017, she was nominated by President Donald Trump for Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs. The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs unanimously recommended a full vote in the Senate, and she was unanimously confirmed inJune 2018.[6] During her confirmation hearing, she pledged to recuse herself from issues involving the Arctic Slope Regional Corporation. She is the first Alaska Native and second woman to oversee the Bureau of Indian Affairs.[6][7]

As Assistant Secretary, she faced calls for her resignation over the inclusion of for-profit Alaska Native owned corporations to directly compete with funding set aside for native governments dealing with the COVID-19 crisis.[8] On April 28, 2020 a federal court blocked the inclusion of Alaska Native owned corporations from receiving federal stimulus money earmarked for tribal governments.[9]

Political activity

In 2003, Sweeney joined the cabinet of Governor of Alaska Frank Murkowski as Special Assistant for Rural Affairs and Education.[1]

In the 2014 Senate election, Sweeney served as co-chair of Republican Dan Sullivan's Senate campaign, stating that the Democratic Senate Majority "feverishly worked on an agenda that stifled growth and economic opportunities in Alaska". As Assistant Secretary, Sweeney wrote an op-ed endorsing Sullivan's reelection in 2020, arguing that Sullivan's opponent Al Gross supported "national Democrats' own radical, anti-Alaska agenda".[10]

Personal life

Sweeney is married to Kevin Sweeney, a former aide to Senator Lisa Murkowski. The couple have two children and lives in Anchorage.[11] She had a role in the 2011 film On the Ice, and their son Ahmaogak had a role in the 2012 film Big Miracle.[4]

References
  1. "History Made: Alaskan Leader Tara Mac Lean Sweeney Becomes First Female Alaska Native for Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs". www.doi.gov. August 16, 2018. Retrieved October 16, 2021.
  2. Alaska State Legislature-Representative Eileen MacLean
  3. Alaska Native executive Tara Sweeney named to top Bureau of Indian Affairs job Indianz.com. October 17, 2017. Retrieved January 25, 2019.
  4. Steve Straehley and David Wallechinsky Director of the Bureau of Indian Affairs: Who Is Tara Sweeney? Retrieved January 17, 2019.
  5. DeGeorge, Krestia (November 14, 2016). "What will federal policies affecting Alaska Natives look like under the Trump administration?". ArcticToday. Retrieved October 16, 2021.
  6. Daniel Kirby (June 28, 2018) Senate unanimously confirms Tara Sweeney for Interior Department post Ktuu.com. Retrieved January 25, 2019
  7. Dan MacGuill (September 18, 2018) Did Donald Trump Appoint the First Native American to Lead the Bureau of Indian Affairs? Snopes.com. Retrieved August 25, 2019
  8. Beitsch, Rebecca (April 16, 2020). "With corporations vying for tribal stimulus, some call for resignation of head of Indian Affairs". TheHill. Retrieved April 28, 2020.
  9. Beitsch, Rebecca (April 28, 2020). "Federal court blocks funding to corporations vying for tribal stimulus". TheHill. Retrieved April 28, 2020.
  10. October 25, Tara Sweeney Updated; October 24, 2020 Published; 2020. "Sullivan has been a champion for rural Alaska". Anchorage Daily News. Retrieved October 16, 2021.CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  11. Demer, Lisa; October 18, Erica Martinson Updated; October 18, 2017 Published; 2017. "Alaska Native leaders say Tara Sweeney is well suited for Trump's top Indian affairs job". Anchorage Daily News. Retrieved October 16, 2021.CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
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