[Senate Hearing 111-561]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
S. Hrg. 111-561
NOMINATION OF LILLIAN A. SPARKS TO BE COMMISSIONER OF THE
ADMINISTRATION FOR NATIVE AMERICANS, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES
=======================================================================
HEARING
before the
COMMITTEE ON INDIAN AFFAIRS
UNITED STATES SENATE
ONE HUNDRED ELEVENTH CONGRESS
SECOND SESSION
__________
JANUARY 28, 2010
__________
Printed for the use of the Committee on Indian Affairs
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COMMITTEE ON INDIAN AFFAIRS
BYRON L. DORGAN, North Dakota, Chairman
JOHN BARRASSO, Wyoming, Vice Chairman
DANIEL K. INOUYE, Hawaii JOHN McCAIN, Arizona
KENT CONRAD, North Dakota LISA MURKOWSKI, Alaska
DANIEL K. AKAKA, Hawaii TOM COBURN, M.D., Oklahoma
TIM JOHNSON, South Dakota MIKE CRAPO, Idaho
MARIA CANTWELL, Washington MIKE JOHANNS, Nebraska
JON TESTER, Montana
TOM UDALL, New Mexico
AL FRANKEN, Minnesota
Allison C. Binney, Majority Staff Director and Chief Counsel
David A. Mullon Jr., Minority Staff Director and Chief Counsel
C O N T E N T S
----------
Page
Hearing held on January 28, 2010................................. 1
Statement of Senator Dorgan...................................... 1
Statement of Senator Franken..................................... 21
Statement of Senator Johanns..................................... 23
Statement of Senator Johnson..................................... 3
Statement of Senator Tester...................................... 24
Statement of Senator Udall....................................... 23
Witnesses
Bordeaux, Hon. Rodney M., President, Rosebud Sioux Tribe......... 2
Sparks, Lillian A., Nominee to be Commissioner of the
Administration for Native Americans, U.S. Department of Health
and Human Services............................................. 4
Prepared statement........................................... 6
Biographical information..................................... 7
Appendix
Response to written questions submitted to Lillian A. Sparks by:
Hon. Daniel K. Akaka......................................... 32
Hon. Tom Coburn, M.D......................................... 31
Rosebud Sioux Tribe, letters of support......................... 27, 28
Whitefoot, Patricia L., President, National Indian Education
Association, letter of support................................. 30
NOMINATION OF LILLIAN A. SPARKS TO BE COMMISSIONER OF THE
ADMINISTRATION FOR NATIVE AMERICANS, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES
----------
THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2010
U.S. Senate,
Committee on Indian Affairs,
Washington, DC.
The Committee met, pursuant to notice, at 2:15 p.m. in room
628, Dirksen Senate Office Building, Hon. Byron L. Dorgan,
Chairman of the Committee, presiding.
OPENING STATEMENT OF HON. BYRON L. DORGAN,
U.S. SENATOR FROM NORTH DAKOTA
The Chairman. We are going to call the hearing to order.
This is a hearing of the Indian Affairs Committee.
Today, the Committee will conduct a nomination hearing on
Ms. Lillian Sparks to be the Commissioner of the Administration
for Native Americans at the Department of Health and Human
Services. Following this hearing, we will conduct an oversight
hearing on the longstanding high unemployment rates in Indian
Country.
First, Ms. Sparks. She was nominated on October 23, 2009 by
President Obama to be the Commissioner of the Administration
for Native Americans, and we are pleased to have her with us
today. The Administration for Native Americans, ANA, was
created to promote self-sufficiency and cultural preservation
among Indian tribes in the United States. The ANA Commissioner
serves as a key advocate for the Native Americans within the
Department of Health and Human Services.
ANA provides competitive funding for community-based
projects that are designed to improve social, cultural and
economic development. The Commissioner manages the ANA-funded
grant programs in Indian Country and also coordinates with the
Director of the Indian Health Service to advise the Secretary
on matters relating to Indian affairs.
Ms. Sparks is an enrolled member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe
in South Dakota, has served as the Executive Director of the
National Indian Education Association for the past six years,
and as Executive Director, she has worked to increase
educational opportunities and resources for American Indians,
Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiian students. She has also
fought to protect American Indian culture and languages on
behalf of the NIEA and Indian Country.
Prior to joining NIEA, Ms. Sparks worked at a staff
attorney for the Congress of American Indians, NCAI, where she
focused on the protection of sacred sites, the promotion of
cultural protection, and indigenous rights. She has also
advocated on behalf of NCAI in the issue areas of Indian health
care, Native youth, and religious protection.
Ms. Sparks' work on these issues and 10 years of
professional experience make her a qualified candidate for the
Commissioner of the Administration for Native Americans. Her
experience closely aligns with the requirements of the position
and I look forward to working with my colleagues on this
nomination.
I want to thank Ms. Sparks for being here to answer
questions, and I want to thank Mr. President, or rather
President Bordeaux of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe for traveling
here to introduce Ms. Sparks to the Committee.
Are there any other Members who wish to make an opening
statement?
Hearing none, let me ask Ms. Sparks and Mr. Bordeaux to
take their seats at the witness table.
Mr. Bordeaux, we welcome you from South Dakota. You may
proceed. Your entire statement will be made a part of the
permanent record.
STATEMENT OF HON. RODNEY M. BORDEAUX, PRESIDENT, ROSEBUD SIOUX
TRIBE
Mr. Bordeaux. Good afternoon, Chairman Dorgan, Senator
Johnson, Members of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs. I
am extremely honored today to speak on behalf of Lillian
Sparks, a member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, and her nomination
as Commissioner for the Administration for Native Americans at
the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Lillian's Lakota name is Wanakchowee, Flower Woman. She is
a member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe and a descendant of the
Oglala Sioux Tribe, and has a longstanding demonstrable record
of service to Indian Country and children and families. She is
a well respected and highly intelligent woman who is well
versed in both her Lakota teaching and national policies and
affairs.
As mentioned earlier, she served as a law clerk for the
National Indian Gaming Association, Staff Attorney for the
National Congress of American Indians, and most recently as the
Executive Director of the National Indian Education
Association.
Lillian has a wide array of experiences ranging from work
on international indigenous rights, sacred sites and religious
protection, and issues related to youth and health care.
Throughout her career, Lillian has served as a greater
intermediary of information to Indian Country policies and
legislation happening on the national level.
Lillian has firsthand experience working on national
policies designed to increase high school graduation rates,
support school-based health and Head Start Programs, and
revitalize Native American languages and culture.
Specifically, Lillian has been instrumental in the drafting
of provisions for the Elementary and Secondary Education Act,
the Esther Martinez Native American Languages Act, a bill to
include the Bureau of Indian Education schools in the Race To
The Top funding that was provided in the American Reinvestment
and Recovery Act.
Through her tireless efforts on the aforementioned bills,
Lillian was able to include provisions to support culturally
based education, align standards and assessments, and teacher
support. She has increased the resources and program capacity
for native language programs in tribal communities and assisted
in increasing the number of children served by various Federal
programs, including programs at the BIE, BIA, and Indian Health
Service, Office of Head Start, and the Administration for
Native Americans. Additionally, her efforts have led to
increased and restored funding in a number of Federal agencies
and departments.
Not only does Lillian have the substantive knowledge and
experience to serve as the Commissioner of ANA, she also has
good rapport with both tribal leaders and policy makers. Her
relationship with tribal governments and national organizations
has led her role as a co-facilitator in the Native Children's
Agenda, a national policy discussion on comprehensively meeting
the health, education and welfare needs of native youth.
Through NCA, Lillian continues to examine existing policies and
programs that may be implemented in native communities to the
benefit of native families and tribal governments.
Her extraordinary ability to analyze concerns, identify
program obstacles, and outline necessary courses of action has
proven to be invaluable for both the formulation of tribal and
national policies.
Lillian's determination and commitment to assist her
Nation's most under-served populations is demonstrated by her
willingness to serve and tirelessly advocate on behalf of those
voices who have not always been heard.
For this reason, I respectfully and happily give my highest
recommendation for Lillian Sparks as the Commissioner for
Native Americans at the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services. And the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, we have submitted
written testimony and our Tribal Council met yesterday and they
wholeheartedly support Lillian and her nomination.
Thank you.
The Chairman. Mr. Bordeaux, thank you for your leadership
of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, and thanks for traveling here today
to give us your thoughts on this nomination. We appreciate it
very much, and we will excuse you and then call on Ms. Sparks.
So Mr. Bordeaux, thank you very much.
Mr. Bordeaux. Thank you.
The Chairman. Ms. Sparks, let me, as a courtesy, call on
Senator Johnson from South Dakota before I call on you.
Senator Johnson?
STATEMENT OF HON. TIM JOHNSON,
U.S. SENATOR FROM SOUTH DAKOTA
Senator Johnson. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
It is a great pleasure to be here today, and I am glad you
are holding this nomination hearing today.
I welcome my good friend, President Bordeaux. As President
of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe in my home State of South Dakota, we
have had a strong working relationship and it is good to see
him here today introducing this nominee.
I also welcome nominee Lillian Sparks to the Committee. An
enrolled member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe and also of Oglala
Sioux descent, she has a unique perspective on the needs of
Indian Country, especially to those needs in South Dakota.
I am grateful to the President for putting forth nominees
that are in tune with the needs of our Indian communities.
Thank you again for this hearing. I look forward to
continuing work with President Bordeaux and Ms. Sparks in the
future.
Thank you.
The Chairman. Senator Johnson, thank you very much.
Ms. Sparks, welcome to the Committee. My understanding is
you are accompanied by your mother. Is that correct? Would you
wish to introduce her to us?
Ms. Sparks. It would be my honor to introduce her. My
mother, Georgeline Brushbreaker Sparks, Oyate Waha Canka YaPi
Win, Shield For Her People Woman, is accompanying me today.
The Chairman. We welcome her.
Ms. Sparks. And I would like to acknowledge my father as
well, Leroy Sparks, who I know is at home watching on the
webcast.
The Chairman. Well, I am sure they are very proud parents,
so we welcome your mother.
We will call on you. Your entire record will be made a part
of the permanent record, your entire statement, rather, and you
may summarize. We will call on you to provide your statement.
STATEMENT OF LILLIAN A. SPARKS, NOMINEE TO BE
COMMISSIONER OF THE ADMINISTRATION FOR NATIVE
AMERICANS, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Ms. Sparks. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Good afternoon to Members of the Senate Committee on Indian
Affairs. My name is Lillian Sparks, and as has been mentioned
several times, I am an enrolled member of the Rosebud Sioux
Tribe and a descendant of the Oglala Sioux Tribe.
I humbly come before you as the President's nominee to be
the Commissioner for the Administration for Native Americans at
the Department of Health and Human Services.
I was honored when the President nominated me to the
position of the Commissioner for ANA this past October, and I
believe my experiences have prepared me well to assume the
responsibilities of this important position. Currently, I serve
as the Executive Director of the National Indian Education
Association, where I lead the efforts of the membership and the
Board of Directors on education issues impacting American
Indians, Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians.
I have also worked as a staff attorney for the National
Congress of American Indians, where I focused on issues
relating to tribal government and youth and families, including
health care, early childhood education, international
indigenous human rights, and religious protection.
I wish to serve as the Commissioner for ANA because I
believe in the goals of self-sufficiency and cultural
preservation established at ANA, and because I share this
Administration's support for increasing and strengthening
services to families and to youth.
It would be my honor to assist in implementing the
President's agenda for tribal communities, including economic
and infrastructure development, early childhood education,
language preservation, and the principles of self-
determination, tribal consultation and tribal inclusion.
I am a strong believer in service leadership and strive to
practice service to others over self-interest. Raised in my
traditional Lakota values of wisdom, bravery, fortitude and
generosity, I was taught to lead by action with humility, and
not merely provide direction.
If confirmed, I would commit myself to a number of
priorities to strengthen the Department's programs. These
priorities include promoting the ANA's priorities and
initiatives in Indian Country to ensure that tribal communities
are aware of new grant opportunities at the Department;
strengthening the Interdepartmental Council on Native American
Affairs at HHS to ensure that the Secretary is well informed on
issues and best practices in Indian Country as it relates to
HHS; collaborating with tribal governments and other
stakeholders to provide increased services to ANA grantees and
applicants through increased technical assistance, useful
program evaluations, trainings, conventions as feasible;
strengthening the relationship between ANA and Congress through
frequent communication and the development of shared policy
priorities; and continuing to foster the development of stable
and diversified tribal economies; increase the prevalence of
use of native languages; and support programs that support the
well being of native youth and families.
I am a firm believer in accountability and integrity in the
work of any organization that has stakeholders or membership.
It is incredibly important to identify performance goals to
measure progress and evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness
of the services provided.
If confirmed, I will ensure that regulations developed by
ANA follow the tribal consultation policies set forth by HHS
and that all stakeholders receive adequate and prompt
notification to participate in both the consultation and
comment periods.
Additionally, if confirmed, I pledge to implement and
adhere to a system that allocates discretionary spending in an
open manner through a set of fair and objective established
criteria.
I will also work closely with the committees of
jurisdiction in Congress, including the Senate Committee on
Indian Affairs, to ensure that the regulations are aligned with
Congressional intent. I will work collaboratively with Congress
and the Committee staff through open and frequent dialogue,
information sharing, and meetings to ensure that the policies
and regulations promulgated by the Department or Agency are not
counteractive to the intent of the law, and work cohesively
with legislative provisions to address or strengthen tribal
programs.
I believe that my lifelong career in public service,
coupled with my extensive experience in policy formulation
impacting youth and family in tribal communities qualify me for
the appointment of ANA Commissioner.
If confirmed, I look forward to working with the Members of
this Committee to provide essential services to Native American
communities across the Country.
Again, thank you for the opportunity to appear before you
today and I look forward to answering any questions that you
may have at this time.
[The prepared statement and biographical information of Ms.
Sparks follow:]
Prepared Statement of Lillian A. Sparks, Nominee to be Commissioner of
the Administration for Native Americans, U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services
Good morning Chairman Dorgan, Vice Chairman Barrasso and members of
the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs. My name is Lillian Sparks. I am
an enrolled member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe and descendent of the
Oglala Sioux Tribe and I humbly come before you today as the
President's nominee to be the Commissioner for the Administration for
Native Americans (ANA) at the Department of Health and Human Services
(HHS).
I was honored when the President nominated me to the position of
Commissioner for Administration for Native Americans this past October,
and believe my experiences have prepared me well to assume the
responsibilities of this important position. Currently, I serve as the
executive director of the National Indian Education Association (NIEA),
where I lead the efforts of the membership and Board of Directors on
education issues impacting American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native
Hawaiian communities. I have also worked as a staff attorney for the
National Congress of American Indians (NCAI), where I focused on issues
relating to tribal governments and youth and families, including health
care, early childhood education, international indigenous human rights
and religious protection.
I wish to serve as the Commissioner of ANA because I believe in the
goals of self-sufficiency and cultural preservation established at ANA,
and because I share this Administration's support for increasing and
strengthening services for youth and families. It would be my honor to
assist in implementing the President's agenda for tribal communities,
including economic and infrastructure development, early childhood
education, language preservation, and the principles of tribal self-
determination, tribal consultation, and tribal inclusion.
I am a strong believer in ``service leadership'' and strive to
practice service to others over self interest. Raised in my traditional
Lakota values of wisdom, bravery, fortitude, and generosity, I was
taught to lead by action, with humility, and not merely provide
direction. If confirmed, I would commit myself to a number of
priorities to strengthen the Department's programs. These priorities
include:
Promoting the ANA's priorities and initiatives in Indian
Country to ensure that tribal communities are aware of new
grant opportunities at the Department;
Strengthening the Intra-Departmental Council on Native
American Affairs at HHS to ensure that Secretary is well
informed on issues and best practices in Indian country as it
relates to HHS;
Collaborating with tribal governments and other stakeholders
to provide increased services to ANA grantees and applicants
through increased technical assistance, useful program
evaluations, and convenings (trainings, conventions, etc.) as
feasible;
Strengthening the relationship between ANA and Congress
through frequent communication and the development of shared
policy priorities; and
Continuing to foster the development of stable and
diversified tribal economies, increase the prevalence of use of
Native languages, and support programs that promote the well-
being of Native youth and families.
I am a firm believer in accountability and integrity in the work of
any organization that has stakeholders or membership. It is incredibly
important to identify performance goals to measure progress and
evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of the services provided. If
confirmed, I will ensure that regulations developed by ANA follow the
tribal consultation policies set forth by HHS and that all stakeholders
receive adequate and prompt notification to participate in both the
consultations and comment periods. Additionally, if confirmed, I pledge
to implement and adhere to a system that allocates discretionary
spending in an open manner through a set of fair and objective
established criteria.
I will also work closely with the committees of jurisdiction in
Congress, including the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, to ensure
that the regulations are aligned with Congressional intent. I will work
collaboratively with Congress and the Committee staff through open and
frequent dialogue, information sharing, and meetings to ensure that the
policies and regulations promulgated by the department/agency are not
counteractive to the intent of the law and work cohesively with
legislative provisions to address or strengthen tribal programs.
I believe that my lifelong career in public service coupled with my
extensive experience in policy formulation impacting youth and children
in tribal communities qualifies me for the appointment of ANA
Commissioner. If confirmed, I look forward to working with the members
of this Committee to provide essential services to Native American
communities across the country.
Again, thank you for the opportunity to appear before you today. I
look forward to answering any questions you may have.
______
The Chairman. Ms. Sparks, thank you very much.
Let me call on my colleagues first. Are there questions of
Ms. Sparks from the Committee?
Mr. Franken, Senator Franken?
STATEMENT OF HON. AL FRANKEN,
U.S. SENATOR FROM MINNESOTA
Senator Franken. Ms. Sparks, congratulations on your
nomination. You met with me and my staff recently to talk about
Indian school construction issues. This is an issue of great
importance to the tribes in my State. We have a tribe, Leech
Lake Reservation, that has been scheduled for 10 or 15 years, I
think, to have a school rebuilt or built on its reservation and
they can't find out where they are on the list. And we
discussed this.
And I want to thank you for your commitment to work on
this. I mean, we have the same thing at White Earth
Reservation. And I am not sure exactly, can you explain how
your new position would interact with making sure that we get
the--because it is very hard sometimes in the Bureau of Indian
Affairs bureaucracy, which I understand you are not part of,
but how can you help us get these things, certain kinds of
things like this resolved?
Ms. Sparks. Yes, thank you for the question and thank you
for meeting with me previously, Senator Franken.
Certainly, transparency and accountability are high on my
list of my priorities, as well as I know the Administration's
priorities in terms of making sure that all information is
accessible and readily available for our constituents, for our
grants and for our tribal governments.
It will certainly be one of my top priorities, if
confirmed, within the Administration for Native Americans to
make sure that we have all of the information available to both
Members of Congress, but also to our grantees and to those that
we serve.
And I would say, in another capacity, I pledge to continue
working with you and your tribes to make sure that we receive
the information needed with regards to where the schools are on
the list.
Senator Franken. Thank you.
Yesterday, I had Dr. Donald Warren from Aberdeen, South
Dakota, and some members of the American Cancer Society,
telling me about the alarming rates of cancer among native
people, and life expectancy, the incidence of dying from cancer
and how fast. And it has to do with resources. There are Native
Americans who are diagnosed with cancer and then they can't be
treated because there is no resources. The Indian Health
Service has run out of money where they are. And they just
simply can't get treated and die because of it.
How are we going to make sure that the Indian Health
Service is funded and that we address these disparities in
health care?
Ms. Sparks. Yes, it is very unfortunate with regards to the
higher rates that our members of tribal communities die of
preventable diseases and diseases where they should be
receiving treatment. My grandmother, who is a member of the
Oglala Sioux Tribe and would have been served by the Aberdeen
area where Dr. Warren serves now, also is a victim of cancer.
And so I certainly can understand the heart-wrenching heartache
and pains that not just the individual goes through, but the
family goes through because the services aren't available and
because it is due to resources.
With regards to increasing funding for the Indian Health
Services, you know, I know ANA works very closely, hand in hand
with IHS in making sure that the Secretary is aware of all of
the service needs of tribal communities within the Department.
And so I, if confirmed, will be working very closely with Dr.
Yvette Roubideaux through the Interdepartmental Council on
Native American Affairs to find out how can we address what are
some of the challenges in our tribal communities, not just with
regards to health, but throughout all of the programs and
services under HHS.
Senator Franken. The Administration for Native Affairs at
HHS is mainly a grant-administering body. Is that right?
Ms. Sparks. That is correct. ANA does administer grants in
several categories, those being economic and social development
for tribes, Native American languages, healthy families and
marriages, and then environmental regulatory and mitigation
grants.
Senator Franken. And all these are critical to the well
being of struggling native communities on our reservations, and
very often these communities are chronically under-funded and
services are delivered in an inadequate way.
There are some really good models in our Country, such as
the Harlem Children's Zone in New York, that integrate these
programs and provide a comprehensive holistic set of services
to tackle poverty and health and education issues and economic
development.
Would you look at this model and see if we can get a better
integration of these services and provide grants to do that?
Ms. Sparks. Absolutely. I think the Harlem Children's Zone
is an excellent model with regards to how do we comprehensively
meet the needs of the children in that particular community. It
is something that actually NIA in my current position that we
have been working on with a number of other organizations,
including the National Congress of American Indians, National
Indian Child Welfare Association and National Indian Health
Board in terms of how can we comprehensively meet the needs of
native students, where are some of the best practices, where
are some of the best programs out there in tribal communities
where education is working with a child welfare office, working
with the Indian Health Service clinic, working with the tribal
colleges.
And so it is my hope that, if confirmed in my new capacity,
that I would be able to continue looking at what are some of
those best practices as it is a perfect fit for the
Administration for children and families.
Senator Franken. Thank you very much, and congratulations.
Ms. Sparks. Thank you, Senator Franken.
The Chairman. Let me call on Senator Johanns.
Let me mention to the Committee that we are doing a second
hearing on the issue of jobs and unemployment on Indian
reservations. We have four witnesses, I believe, there, and we
have two votes that I believe will start in about an hour.
Senator Franken. Is that your way of suggesting that maybe
I went too long, Mr. Chairman?
[Laughter.]
The Chairman. I would have said so directly had I thought
that. There was no hidden message here, Senator Franken.
Senator Franken. Okay, well, you would be tactful and I
thought it might have been that.
The Chairman. Senator Johanns is next. Take as much time as
you like.
Senator Johanns. Thank you.
[Laughter.]
STATEMENT OF HON. MIKE JOHANNS,
U.S. SENATOR FROM NEBRASKA
Senator Johanns. Thank you very much. I am not going to
take too much time.
In fact, I looked through your background and thought, you
know, how impressive, what a great career you have had so far
in your life, and I wasn't going to say anything, but I
couldn't pass up the opportunity.
First thing I want to say is your parents can be very, very
proud of what you have accomplished, and I know they are. But I
know also that your tribe also must be enormously proud that
you are sitting there today.
In the State of Nebraska, as you probably know, we have
four tribes. And when I was the Governor of Nebraska, we would
do something on an annual basis that was very well received and
I have decided to continue it now that I am in the Senate, and
that is we have a tribal summit. And we will spend many hours
together sometime this coming year. And all four tribes are
involved. We are now working to build an itinerary of the
subjects we want to cover so we make sure that their time is
very well spent.
Behind me to my right is Lea Stueve. She works with me on
this. And I am going to ask you to exchange email addresses
with Lea, if you would. What would be really great is if we
could invite you out to Nebraska. I don't know what your travel
budget is or your schedule is, but I think that would be great.
And at the risk of speaking for the tribes, I think they
would love to see you there. And if the tribal summit works, we
would even welcome you to that. And you might be able to not
only meet really outstanding people, but then establish an
ongoing relationship with them directly.
So if you could keep that in mind, I would appreciate it. I
don't have any other questions or comments other than to say
congratulations. I am going to be very, very proud to support
you as you make your way here through the confirmation process,
and then we put you to work. Okay?
Ms. Sparks. Thank you, Senator, and I will be sure to
exchange information with Lea.
Senator Johanns. Okay. Great. Thank you.
The Chairman. Senator Johanns, thank you very much.
Are there other Senators that wish to have comments or
questions?
Senator Udall. Chairman?
The Chairman. Senator Udall?
STATEMENT OF HON. TOM UDALL,
U.S. SENATOR FROM NEW MEXICO
Senator Udall. Yes. Chairman Dorgan, thank you.
Just a brief statement. I agree with Senator Johanns about
your background and I want to thank you for serving. I would
just like to say that I know you have advocated for the Esther
Martinez Native Languages Act. Esther was a woman who lived in
New Mexico, and a result of her death, was the passage of the
Esther Martinez Native Languages Act.
And one of the important things that I think we all need to
focus on is the fact that, and it can't be said strongly
enough, that language is culture. And when we lose the
language, we lose the culture. There is a real connection
there. When we are from another culture, we don't necessarily
realize that.
So I hope that as we move down the road, and I know you
have been an advocate for this, that we try to do everything we
can to give tribes the tools to retain their languages. I see
them doing it on their own, but they need a little help. I see
grandmas coming into Head Start Centers and working with their
grandchildren and other grandchildren to try to preserve those
languages. And I think if we just stepped up to the plate on
this Esther Martinez Language Act and funded it, we would start
giving the tools to the tribes to retain their languages.
So with that, I am not asking you a question because I want
to move on with the jobs hearing. I would just urge you to
continue in your position when you get in there to be an
advocate. I know you will. I know I don't have to say that.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
The Chairman. Thank you very much.
Senator Johnson?
Senator Johnson. I would note that besides Ms. Sparks with
the ANA, the new head of the IHS is also a Rosebud Sioux
member.
Ms. Sparks. Right.
Senator Johnson. And I appreciate the knowledge.
The Chairman. We will let the record note about the Rosebud
Sioux Tribe.
[Laughter.]
The Chairman. Senator Tester?
STATEMENT OF HON. JON TESTER,
U.S. SENATOR FROM MONTANA
Senator Tester. Yes, thank you, Mr. Chairman.
And as with Senator Johanns, when you make that trip to
Nebraska, I invite you to come to Montana. We would love to
have you up there to take a look around.
I only have one question, and there are a bunch of
questions we could ask about the PATH Act and other things that
I know you have worked on and have an interest in. But the one
question I have is there is going to be grants from ANA that
you will be overseeing that you will be sending out the door
that hopefully will create some jobs in Indian Country.
Could you give me an idea of what kind of grants you are
going to be looking for that you think we get the most bang for
the buck for?
Ms. Sparks. Well, I think, without sounding too premature,
definitely we would be looking at grants and programs, if
confirmed, that would be aligned with the President's and the
Administration's goals. You know, yesterday evening, President
Obama talked extensively about the importance of creating jobs
and the Jobs Act. And looking at ANA and the types of grants
they already give, a number of the social and economic
development grants and the tribal infrastructure grants are
aligned already with the President's goals.
And so I would certainly go into the office looking at what
grants we are already distributing, visiting with the grantees,
finding out what is successful, what works, and by the way, how
we can promote and strengthen that to make sure that we are
providing the most employment that we can in Indian Country
through ANA as feasible.
Senator Tester. Well, I want to thank you, and I want to
thank you for your willingness to serve, and wish you all the
best in your capacity. I think you will do a great job.
Ms. Sparks. Thank you very much, Senator.
The Chairman. Any other questions?
Ms. Sparks, I will send some written questions to you and
ask that you respond to them quickly, and this Committee will
then attempt to move your nomination with dispatch as well.
We thank you very much for coming to the hearing today.
Ms. Sparks. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
The Chairman. And we will keep the record open if there are
others that wish to submit statements on the nomination.
Ms. Sparks. Thank you.
The Chairman. Ms. Sparks, thank you very much. You are
excused.
And that will end the hearing on Ms. Sparks' nomination and
we will begin the hearing now on the issue of unemployment on
Indian Reservations.
[Whereupon, at 2:47 p.m., the Committee proceeded to other
business.]
A P P E N D I X
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Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Tom Coburn, M.D. to
Lillian A. Sparks
Question 1. The Indian Education Association was one of the leading
proponents of and lobby groups for the Ester Martinez Native Languages
Preservation Act, a program under the purview of the Administration for
Native Americans. Do you foresee any conflict of interest between your
former advocacy role and your new administration position?
Answer. If confirmed, I am confident that my prior role as Director
of the National Indian Education Association will not conflict with my
responsibilities as Commissioner of the Administration for Native
Americans. I appreciate the strong interest in language preservation
activities envisioned under the Esther Martinez Language Preservation
Act, and look forward to working on these projects as well as all other
projects supported by the Native American Programs Act.
In addition, if any questions arise regarding real or perceived
conflicts of interest on this or any other issue, I will consult with
the Department's designated ethics official.
Question 2. As you know poverty and unemployment are prevalent in
Indian Country. As a result, this has prompted greater dependency on
federally supported programs. The first goal listed on ANA's website
is, in part, to reduce the dependency on public funds and social
services. To what extent has the agency achieved this goal since its
inception in 1972? How will you measure progress is made during your
tenure?
Answer. I share your concern about the prevalence of poverty and
unemployment in Indian Country. While I believe the programs
administered by the Administration for Native Americans have helped
promote self-sufficiency in our native communities, I am committed to
ensuring they are efficient and accountable. If confirmed, I will use
all the statutory tools available to ANA, including the mandate to
conduct impact evaluations of ANA-funded projects, to determine whether
we are making progress toward improving the well-being of children and
families in Indian Country. In addition, wherever possible, I will
establish measurable goals for the agency and its programs in order to
ensure that our resources are being allocated effectively.
Question 3. Which programs within the Department, if any, do you
think can be eliminated because they are ineffective, duplicative,
unnecessary or have outlived their purpose?
Answer. Prior to confirmation, I do not believe I am in a position
to determine which ANA programs should be continued or eliminated.
However, as I mentioned in my previous response, I intend to move
quickly to evaluate the agency and its programs with an eye toward
efficiency and accountability, and I will certainly not hesitate to
eliminate programs or initiatives that are ineffective or unnecessary.
As you know, the President has expressed a firm commitment to
eliminating wasteful programs, and I fully support that objective.
Question 4. More specifically, do you believe there is overlap
between programs that will fall under your jurisdiction and Department
of Interior programs, and, if so, how will you work to ensure greater
coordination and efficiencies?
Answer. I believe that various programs within HHS/ANA and the
Interior Department are focused on different aspects of similar issues
and challenges, and I agree that interdepartmental collaboration is
important to improved program management and outcomes. If confirmed, I
look forward to strengthening ANA's partnership with other offices and
agencies--both within HHS and across the government--in an effort to
ensure we are working together to achieve clearly defined goals.
Question 5. President-elect Obama promised to conduct ``an
immediate and periodic public inventory of administrative offices and
functions and require agency leaders to work together to root out
redundancy.'' When do you plan to start this and when can we expect you
to complete it?
Answer. As I mentioned in a previous response, I intend to move
quickly to evaluate the agency and its programs with an eye toward
efficiency and accountability. If confirmed, it will be one of my first
priorities to conduct a review of ANA's resources and programs to
ensure that its mission is clearly defined, and that its spending is in
line with that mission.
Question 6. Currently all recipients of federal grants, contracts,
and loans are required to be posted online for public review. Do you
support making all federal assistance including subcontracts and
subgrants transparent in the same manner?
Answer. I share the President's commitment to government
transparency, and, if confirmed, I look forward to working with
Secretary Sebelius and HHS leadership to bring a new level of
transparency to the Department. As you noted in an earlier question,
part of ANA's mission is to promote self-sufficiency and reduce
dependency on public funds and social services, and I believe that
increased transparency and accountability with respect to ANA's program
dollars will help measure the agency's progress toward meeting that
goal. Toward that end, I am committed to identifying opportunities at
ANA where transparency and accountability can be increased, including
with respect to how program dollars are being spent.
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Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Daniel K. Akaka to
Lillian A. Sparks
Question 1. The ANA program for more than 30 years has served all
of the indigenous peoples of the United States and its territories,
including Native Hawaiians, Alaska Natives and American Indians,
recognizing the unique cultures, languages and value in supporting
community based empowerment.
Will you continue this long standing commitment by ANA to serve the
indigenous peoples of the United States, regardless if they are located
in Hawaii, Alaska, the lower 48, or the Pacific?
Answer. Yes. If confirmed, I will continue to support all of the
eligible populations for ANA programs, regardless of geographic
location.
Question 2. The contracts issued by ANA to deliver training and
technical assistance across the country and in the Pacific are one of
the most important ways that Native communities are not
disenfranchised, and able to fully participate in the ANA program.
Technical assistance is best delivered by organizations and firms that
have a first hand knowledge of the culture and peoples of a particular
region. In addition, these contracts are excellent ways of supporting
locally owned and controlled firms in the various regions of the
country.
How will you ensure that the selection of TTA contractors are
representative of the communities they are serving, whether they are
American Indian, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, or Pacific
Islanders?
Answer. I absolutely agree that ANA must work to identify firms for
contracting purposes that are best-suited to performing the job in
question, and that first-hand knowledge of the cultures and people of
the communities served by ANA is extremely beneficial in providing
people with the kind of assistance they need to take full advantage of
the agency's programs and services. If confirmed, I will ensure that
contracting rules are followed, while also reaching out to encourage
firms that represent the communities ANA serves to compete for
contracting opportunities.
Question 3. Self-governance has long been one of the cornerstone
areas of the ANA program, along with economic and social development,
and language preservation.
What are your views on how the strengthening of Native self
governance impacts all other areas of community well-being in Native
communities, whether represented by a federally recognized tribe or
not?
Would you support the use of ANA programs to advance Native peoples
that are working toward federal recognition?
Answer. I understand your interest in the important questions
surrounding self-governance, and, if confirmed, I intend to work
closely with other HHS agencies and offices to review the department's
policies in this area with the goal of promoting the well-being of all
Native communities. With respect to federal recognition, it is my
understanding that ANA does not currently fund projects that are
focused on the federal recognition process. If confirmed, I will
examine this issue more closely to determine whether such projects fit
within ANA's authority and existing program priorities. Of course, if
confirmed, I would be happy to work with you and your staff on both of
these important issues.